Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana yesterday said that General Manager of Sri Lanka Railways H.M.K.W. Bandara played a unique role in taking the department to a new dimension even though some people made proposals for the privatization of the department.
Speaking at the funeral of Funeral of Sri Lanka RailwayS General Manager H.M.K.W. Bandara at the Raymonds Funeral parlour, the Minister said that the President and the Prime Minister as well as the Government offer condolences over the death of General Manager of the Sri Lanka Railways who was dedicated to uplift the public transport service.
“By presenting new proposals to the Sri Lanka Railway Department, Mr.Bandara has done a positive work for the development of the department”, he said.
The Minister said that the late Bandara opposed when some proposed to privatise the department. “He has made a great contribution to bring this institution to its current state”, he said.
Minister Dr. Gunawardhana said that the General Manager succeeded in taking urgent steps to solve the problems of the railway workers within a very short time. “Bandara worked very closely with the trade unions of the Railway Department”, he said.
The Minister said that the late Bandara tried to solve the problems faced by the employees.“As a result, there was a big change in the Sri Lanka Railway Department”, he said. The Minister was of the view that these moves helped bring the department to the level it has reached today. “ Bandara’s death is an irreparable loss to that department,” he said.
Public Administration and Home Affairs Ministry Secretary Pradeep Yasaratne read the condolence message issued by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena over the death of Bandara.
“Bandara joined the Sri Lanka Railways as an assistant engineer and he was able to ascend to the post of General Manager of the Department through his sheer dedication and commitment”, the Prime Minister in his message said.
The Prime Minister recalled that he worked to provide a better railway service for the passengers and also dedicated himself to the development of the employees as well as to implement more positive schemes for that purpose.
Mahinda Aluthgedara