Railway workers' support sought to protect Department - Transport Minister

Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma's main objective is to protect and safeguard the valuable land owned by the Railway Department, Passenger Transport Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna said.

He was speaking after inaugurating a tree planting campaign in the land adjoining the Railway Goods Shed Complex in Colombo with the participation of 100 undergraduates from the Colombo University Computer Studies Unit and 400 railway employees recently. This was part of the Transport Minister's programme to transform 16,000 acres of idle railway land nearly into environment friendly green zones.

Alagiyawanna said employees of all railway trade unions had formed a joint organisation called the Dumriya Parisaraya Surekeeme Vruththeeya Samithi Ekamuthuwa eschewing party and other differences to carry forward this programme.

He thanked railway employees and university students for spearheading the tree planting programme.

Railways General Manager Dr. Lalithasiri Gunaruwan made the vote of thanks. Transport Ministry Secretary Nihal Somaweera and other Ministry and railway officials were also present.