Chevron Lanka to rebuild Kandy railway station

Colombo: Chevron Lanka, the local
subsidiary of Caltex, the marketer of the Havoline lubricants in the US has come forward to refurbish the 145 year old Kandy Railway Station at an initial cost of Rs. 7 million on a request made by the Transport Ministry as a social responsibility project of the company.

Addressing the gathering at the inauguration of the project at the Kandy Railway Station, Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said the thinking of the government is the private sector must be in the forefront of development in the country. “The Mahinda Rajapaksa government appreciates the role played by the private sector. Private sector companies must work hand in hand with the state sector. We must be ready to face the challenges of the future. People who have been bold enough to see and do things differently to others have transformed the world into a better place. Thanks to their efforts the present generation is enjoying the benefits of science and technology,” Minister Alahapperuma said.

Train services have suffered setbacks due to the financial constraints. Railways need Rs. 10 billion annually to provide a satisfactory service. The department runs at a loss and its annual revenue is far short of its expenditure. The Treasury allocation is only Rs. 2.5 billion. The Railways has always been a burden to the treasury. There are instances where railway stations could not find funds to replace a burnt bulb, he added.

He commended Chevron for coming forward to help the govt. in such a situation. Chevron does not get anything in turn for funding this project. The company is doing this solely as a social responsibility project, Minister Alahapperuma stressed. He said he hoped certain trade unions would not describe this act of kindness as an effort to privatize the Railways. “What this private sector establishment is doing is something the department finds difficult to do,” Mr. Alahapperuma emphasized.

Managing Director, Chevron Lanka Kishu Gomes said this was another social responsibility project of the company. “The popular impression in the country is there is an unemployment problem in Sri Lanka which is not correct. The problem is there is a dearth of suitably qualified persons who are trained for the many job opportunities available mainly in the corporate sector, Mr. Gomez said.

Central Province Governor Tikiri Kobbekaduwa, Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayaka and GMR Lalithasiri Gunaruwan also spoke.