Mahinda Chinthana objectives will strengthen public sector

by L.B. Wijayasiri in Kandy

Tea Small Holdings Development Authority Chairman and Yatinuwara SLFP Chief Organiser Tikiri Kobbekaduwa said that the objectives of Mahinda Chinthana was to strengthen the State sector and to serve the public honestly and efficiently.

Public institutions such as public transport should work with dedication and devotion for the improvement of those institutions without getting devided on party politics and getting in to tug-of-war.

Kobbekaduwa made these observations at the handing over of five new buses to the Yatinuwara depot of the Mahanuwara bus company by Transport and Railways Minister A.H.M. Fowzie at a simple ceremony. He added that the promises included in "Mahinda Chinthana" were being fulfilled one by one.

"The Government will fulfil all the pledges in it, in time to come. No mercy is given to those who act in violation of discipline in workplaces", he said.

Six more new buses will be getting in the future and the management should utilise them in productive way and the progress should be reported to the minister.

Yatinuwara Depot was established in 1970 by then Minister of Transport K.B. Ratnayake on the request of the late Lands and Agriculture Minister Hector Kobbekaduwa. At that time 190 busses were operated. By now that number had been declined to about 55 to 60 buses. New buses would be put into operation between Kandy and Colombo. Provincial Councillor A.G. Ranasinghe, opposition leader Kadugannawa UC, Dhanapala Heenatigala, Executive Director D.S.S. Ranasinghe and depot manager Piyasiri Kariyawasam also spoke.