'Employees must help eliminate SLTB corruption, fraud'
No one however mighty and powerful he may be, will succeed in
rebuilding the SLTB unless corruption and fraud are totally eliminated
from the institution, said Transport Minister Kumara Welgama when he
addressed a meeting held at Shalika Hall, Narahenpita recently. The
occasion was the handing over of appointment letters to a new batch of
drivers, conductors and technicians recruited to the SLTB. Minister
Welgama said he could not manage the SLTB with a workforce of 35,000
single handed unless he received the unstinted support and co-operation
of its employees. If such support was forthcoming it would be quite easy
to cry halt to corruption and fraud in the institution.
Minister Welgama said, "SLTB employees are today receiving good
salaries. In addition drivers and conductors are receiving incentive
payments. But it is a shame to see some of them indulging in fraud. Some
bus crews are on the pay of private bus crews to give them priority to
pick up passengers."
"The SLTB purchased 20,000 new bus tyres during the last two years.
Each tyre lasts for a distance of 22,000 km.
Once a tyre is worn out it is sent to rebuilding firms by the
respective depots. A worn out tyre worth nearly Rs 10,000 can be reused
about five times after rebuilding.
But certain corrupt individuals sell the worn out SLTB tyres to
outsiders and in its place submit a sub standard worn out tyre bought
for rebuilding. Such tyres had to be discarded before long. How can the
SLTB be resuscitated in the midst of such fraudulent activities."
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