SLTB being subjected to planned destruction: Minister

8 April 2025 10:28 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 10 Bookmark

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By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana

Colombo, April 8 (Daily Mirror) - The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has been subjected to a planned destruction over the years, Minister of Transport Bimal Ratnayake told Parliament today.

“Politicians including former Ministers who have been in charge of the subject have been behind this move," he charged.

Responding to an oral question raised by MP Rohitha Abeygunawardene, the Minister said 1,955 buses owned by the SLTB are out of service, Also he said around 1,000 drivers and conductors have been dismissed for committing various malpractices.

Comments - 10

Yohan Tuesday, 08 April 2025 10:59 AM

Handover the management to a private firm while government keeps about 49 percent ownership. Pass laws banning politicians from interfering with the management. You cannot make profits or make it viable anymore by keeping it with government. Do same with other transport modes as well. You need pvt sector to move this country forward.

5 16

AZOOR Junaideen Tuesday, 08 April 2025 11:42 AM

Absolutely correct

2 5

Imtias Tuesday, 08 April 2025 12:24 PM

These guys don't use public transport and waiting to make easy and cheap comments. It's a well known fact only the SLTB serves on remote routes and even in metropolitan areas after dark. As such just simply handing over to a private firm will cripple the common mans transportation issues. SLTB is more for common people and should be a service rather than profit making, of course without losses too. Now people who use private vehicles please keep off from commenting on this subject.

1 8

Advocate Tuesday, 08 April 2025 12:05 PM

Another option to consider is the use of retired military personnel. Most reach retirement after 20 years of service but can still work and want to work. They will bring in decepline and improve service level.

2 4

Kays Tuesday, 08 April 2025 12:10 PM

Destruction planned by rillau trade unions?

2 4

Roshanaly Tuesday, 08 April 2025 12:22 PM

Most of these SLTB drivers are bribed by the Private Bus operator, that is why we see many SLTB buses does not stop at the halt, going empty during rush hours.

0 6

Dr. Dee esquire Tuesday, 08 April 2025 01:57 PM

The unions are the reason, now they are in power!

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Remember this CTB was a success story in1 972 Tuesday, 08 April 2025 04:12 PM

May be you should say that loser politicians are the reason, not they are not in power But the henchmen of former rulers were recruited in volumes, irrespective of suitability. May they are being used to manipulate the down fall of CTB. Remember this CTB was a success story when Anil Munasinghe was the minister under Sirima/NMPerera coalition! They can be made to turn around.

0 0

NV Jen Tuesday, 08 April 2025 02:57 PM

True. The rot started with MH Mohamed, who overstaffed it many times than the required numbers. Subsequent ministers looked only into commissions when new buses are bought and never cared to repair the ones that could have been repaired.

0 1

Wiraj Tuesday, 08 April 2025 03:08 PM

Empower the regional depots with good buses (not lorries camouflaged as buses) and give targets to enhance revenue, while ensuring that the buses are well maintained and timely services are provided with zero accidents. Provide incentives to encourage progress.

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