The GCE Ordinary Level as minimum educational qualifications is a prerequisite for employment as a sanitary labourer but qualifications in any kind are irrelevant to become a minister in Sri Lanka, said Transport Minister Kumara Welgama.Participating as the chief guest at the 53rd annual convention of Railway Guards’ Union at the Mt. Mary Hall at Dematagoda, Minister Welgama said a majority of ministers would not have been in Parliament today if educational qualifications were made mandatory to contest a parliamentary seat.
“It is a fact that railway employees are an uncontended lot because they do not get their promotions and salary increases properly. Promotions cannot be granted as there are no new recruitments. The minimum qualification for a labourer is GCE O/L today but in the past it was grade 8. Therefore, it has become extremely difficult to provide employments to under educated youth in the village,” Minister Welgama stressed.
Elaborating further on the vacancies in the Sri Lanka Railways, Minister Welgama pointed out that there are only 270 Railway Guards when the minimum cadre is 682.
Higher educational qualifications are necessary to become a Railway Guard. Not a single Railway Guard has been recruited in the last few years. The level of qualifications must be lowered to give opportunities to the youths in the periphery to get employment in the Sri Lanka Railways, he said. (Sandun A Jayasekera) DM
