During Esala Perahera season:

Kataragama SLTB depot earns Rs 1.3 m income

Irangika RANGE

The Kataragama Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) bus depot has earned a record income of nearly Rs 1.3 million through special bus services operated during the annual Kataragama Esala perahera season.

A Transport Ministry Spokesman told the Daily News that the daily income of the bus depot is around Rs 450,000 and it had exceeded up to Rs 1.3 million recording a highest daily income for the first time in the history.

The special bus services provided by the Kataragama Bus Depot from the main cities have helped it to earn this record income.

He said that the depot had deployed 70 additional buses during the perahera period.

He said that Transport Minister Kumara Welgama following the instructions of President Mahinda Rajapaksa had taken measures to commence additional bus services from major cities.

This is to provide better transport services on time and without any delay for the convenience of the public attending the festival. Following the instructions of Transport Minister, the Kataragama bus depot deployed more buses at the time of festivals with the objective of earning additional income. He said that the Kataragama bus depot had only 52 buses earlier but the bus fleet has increased to 78 at present.

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Welgama inspected the implementation of special bus services launched by the SLTB bus depot Kataragama on July 24 and 25. The Minister praised the dedication and commitment of all Kataragama depot employees for contributing to this record income. He said a systemic plan is required by the SLTB to increase its revenue.