SLTB to honour dedicated employees

Irangika Range

The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) will present a motor car each to the best Driver, Conductor, Depot Superintendent and Mechanic for the first time in its history to mark the 50th anniversary due to be celebrated under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa on December 30 at the BMICH.

Addressing the media briefing yesterday in Colombo, Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said the SLTB's 50th anniversary celebrations has been designed to appreciate and honour the services of SLTB employees who have dedicated themselves to the institution during the past 50 years.

"It is commendable that the SLTB provided a noble social service to the country upholding the public trust during this period,"he said adding it was a big challenge to operate the institution which was in collapse under some previous regimes. "We have been able to give due recognition to the SLTB despite the difficulties and challenges," he noted..

The SLTB provides a 24 hour service being in direct contact with the people. It's employees must be commended for their greater commitment which has vastly contributed to expand the service at both regional and urban levels. "But during the past few decades, no authority attempted to offer them the due recognition for their service,"he lamented.

Hence, we have decided to honour them though some elements attempted to ruin the SLTB for many decades. The SLTB is not only concerned about revenue but also it's service on behalf of the public which should be appreciated," he said..

To meet public needs for the future , new technology, more capital investment and incentives to workers will be arranged by the Government to make the SLTB the best public transport system in the country," the Minister opined.