Gazette declaring railway an essential service presented to Parliament

Gazette Extraordinary number 2133/65 of 27 July 2019, declaring railway transportation as an essential service, was presented yesterday to Parliament.

According to the Gazette, this covers services of any description whatsoever necessary or required to be handled by the Department of Railways, including the transport services by rail and railway lines, their maintenance and provision of proper security measures, signalling systems and their operation, issuance of tickets, that are essential for the efficient and uninterrupted operation of the railway transportation services. By virtue of the powers vested in President Maithripala Sirisena in terms of Section 2 of the Essential Public Services Act, No. 61 of 1979, the order was issued to cover all services provided by Public Corporation or Government Department or Local Authority or Cooperative Society or any branch thereof being a Department or Corporation or Local Authority or Cooperative Society, which is engaged in provision of the Services specified in the Schedule an essential to the life of the community.

Minister of Lands and Parliamentary Reforms and Chief Government Whip Gayantha Karunatileka moved the Motion. (AH)