Colombo: Let us introduce a new culture to strengthen the Sri Lanka Transport Board

According to News.LK, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasized the government’s commitment to establishing a public transport system that is comfortable, safe, efficient, and reliable for the people. This initiative marks the beginning of a strategic overhaul aimed at enhancing the quality of public transport services in Sri Lanka. The President made these remarks during a ceremony at Temple Trees where letters of appointment were presented to 199 newly recruited drivers and 342 conductors of the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB).

President Dissanayake outlined the government’s vision to revamp the SLTB through planned and systematic efforts over the coming years. The plan involves introducing new buses that meet proper standards, while gradually phasing out older buses from the transport system. He expressed confidence that these measures would eventually provide the public with a high-quality bus fleet, fulfilling a key government objective.

Marking the occasion, several recipients were symbolically presented with their appointment letters by the President. He encouraged the new appointees to play a pivotal role in rebuilding the SLTB, which had suffered due to political appointments and irregular dealings in the past. He emphasized the importance of fostering a new culture within the SLTB, one that prioritizes passenger safety and comfort, and congratulated the new recruits on their appointments.

President Dissanayake highlighted the deep cultural connection between the Sri Lankan people and the SLTB, and the need to elevate the institution beyond its current state. He noted that the improvement of the SLTB requires more than just technological advancements; it demands a friendly and professional approach from drivers and conductors towards passengers.

Addressing broader issues, the President pointed out the economic and environmental benefits of a strong public transport system. He emphasized the need to reduce the financial burden on households due to transportation costs and the importance of reducing vehicle imports to save foreign exchange. Strengthening public transport, he argued, would also contribute to environmental protection by reducing vehicle emissions and alleviating traffic congestion.

The government is currently preparing a national policy to ensure a proper and comfortable public transport service. This policy will determine the types of buses that should operate on Sri Lankan roads. The President stressed that the transformation of the SLTB cannot happen overnight, and that it requires a phased approach to upgrade the bus fleet gradually.

The President also addressed issues related to the professionalism and behavior of drivers and conductors, emphasizing the need for high standards to ensure passenger safety. He announced plans to introduce a fleet of comfortable buses with the assistance of the Japanese government and to establish a new company dedicated to providing comfortable passenger transport services.

SLTB Chief Executive Officer M. A. N. Dhammika Ratna also spoke at the event, highlighting the SLTB’s ongoing efforts to enhance the state transport service. He noted that the SLTB operates a fleet of 7,130 buses, with a significant portion being over a decade old. The current government is implementing programs to uplift the SLTB and transform it into a higher-quality transport service.

The event was attended by key government officials including the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake, Deputy Minister of Urban Development Eranga Gunasekara, and other senior officials from the Ministry of Transport and the SLTB.