More vehicles for local bodies

SHIRLEY WIJESINGHE

Local bodies will be provided with the required number of vehicles to manage their affairs smoothly, before the end of this year, said Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon.

The Minister was participating as chief guest at a ceremony at the BMICH recently to hand over 95 double cabs and 20 hand tractors to the heads of local bodies. The Ministry had spent about Rs. 124 million to purchase 95 double cabs and Rs. 6 million to purchase 20 tractors with trailers.

The vehicles were distributed among selected local bodies and specially to the local bodies in the Eastern Province to boost the Nagenahira Nawodaya development drive on President Mahinda Rajapaksa's directive.

"These vehicles are not for your own travelling. But they are specifically for public service. Take care of these vehicles and refrain from misusing them," the Minister told the heads of local bodies.

The Minister said the Cabinet had rejected his proposals to purchase of said vehicles five times, but his collective and continuous effort ultimately succeeded.

The Minister recalled the numerous challenges he had to face to get Cabinet approval.

Ministry Secretary Casian Herath and Senior Assistant Secretary D. P. Hettiarachchi also spoke.