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| Saturday, 31 July 2004 |
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25h anniversary of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority : Those were the days by I. E. G. Perera When my thoughts turn to the past - that is to the life that we led in the port. It is with mixed feelings that I pen a few interesting incidents that cannot be erased off easily from my mind. I was one of the few government servants seconded to the Port (Cargo) Corporation to assist the "Take over" of Stevedoring and Wharf companies. I assumed duties ten days before the take over on 1st August 1958, under N. N. D. Jilla (C.C.S.) Wharf manager (Exports and Coal). My immediate boss was late M. Suppramanian, a kind-hearted gentleman. I will never forget my first trying experience in the Colombo harbour. Three days before the nationalizing of port operations, Suppramanian took me to show my new place of work - Coal Unit at Kochchikade. It was around 3 p.m. when we reached the Coal Office. I saw heaps of coal nearly 30-40 ft high at the yard (Present J.C.T. - stage 01). The workers were busy unloading coal to the yard from the barges. They carried bags of coal on their shoulders in the hot sun. It was a pitiful sight. Our first talks that day was to issue "Tin Tokens"to workers with their identification numbers. When we were inside the Coal Office getting ready for the assignment, I saw a large number of workers covered with coal dust coming towards the office. They looked like "Devils" described in children's storybooks. They were however, in a good mood, perhaps because one of their dreams had come true, as they would be relieved from the yoke of the company owners under whom they suffered. They were shouting in their peculiar "Harbour Language" which was foreign to me. I was alarmed. I thought that I had come to a "living hell". By the time, we finsiehd the assignment I was mentally and physically exhausted. Suppramanian who smelt that I was unhappy, told me not to get worried. He said that once I come to know the workers intimately, it would be very easy to work with them. Late Suppramanian's words came true, as I worked at the Coal unit for nearly five years with my good friend Late Oliver Weerasinghe. Tough union leaders like Late L. Y. Pantis, Ganankarayas (tough guys) of the Colombo City, I. R. C's as well as innocent poor workers were among coal workers. I am happy that I was able to win their respect. One evening, workers refused to partake of their dinner. At that time meals were supplied by private contractors. To solve the problem Night Duty Officers had to be summoned. The two Night Duty Officers having tasted the meals announced that the meals were palatable. As they announced their verdict, the lights went off, the telephone fell dead. The room where the N.D.O's were seated was found locked from out side. The N.D.O's had no escape and hundreds of workers who surrounded the office started shouting in unsavoury langauge. The N.D.O's were rescued with the assistance of the Harbour Police. The day after the assassination of Prime Minister S. W.R.D. Bandaranaike, then Governor General Sir Oliver Gunathilake summoned the top officials of the Port (Cargo) Corporation and advised them to give top priority to discharging coal to enable the Railway to run a maximum number of trains on the day of the Prime Minister's funeral. The officials had told the G.G. that they required additional workers for this task. When I came to the coal yard next morning, it looked like a Prison Camp. There were hundreds of prisoners, surrounded by guards, with the Army and Police. The prisoners were employed to discharge coal. They did a very good job. With their sincere feelings to pay their last respect to the National Leader who paid with his life for the sake of the poor people. Subsequent to the formation of the S.L.P.A in 1979, the Board appointed a Salaries Committee to formulate a unified salary structure. It was a Herculean task, as there were nearly 200 salary scales in the 03 organizations. Late Mr. Eustace de Silva, (Director) headed the committee with an-officer from the Labour Dept. I was appointed as the Secretary. After nearly 06 months hard work, the Committee Report was published. At first the recommendations were happily accepted by most of the employees but when they studied the details they found that the increases recommended to the seniors were less than that the juniors got. I knew that this would happen and informed the Committee before the Report was out. Unfortunately they didn't take me seriously. One morning workers stopped work and marched towards the Head Office shouting slogans. Their target was the members of the Salaries Committee and the "Poor Secretary". On the way they smashed a Union Office to show their protest. I was warned by my friends to leave the office. Mr. Lambert de Silva - Personnel Manager called me to his room and asked me to wait with him. By then I heard the slogans outside the office. I was thoroughly scared. Police chased the demonstrators. To clear the salary anomalies, two committees had to be appointed. However, the Chairman and the Board appreciated my contribution to the Committee, which was a consolation to me. I was very fortunate to work in the Port under good bosses of the calibre of late Messrs Wimal Amarasekera, S. M. B. Dolapihilla and K. S.C. De Fonseka. For nearly 32 years, I contributed my best to the Port. Even in my retirement it is my intention to do whatever possible to serve our colleagues who have retired after devoting their lives to the Port. |
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