Appointment Letters handed over to SLTB drivers, conductors

Appointment letters were handed over to a group of new drivers and conductors recruited for vacancies of the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) at the Ministry of Transport and Highways Auditorium under the patronage of Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana.

The Minister said: “In many countries, services such as education and health have to be paid for. In Sri Lanka, a large amount of tax-paying people’s money is utilised to provide free health facilities and education. The Government will not be making recruitments for any institution for the next three years. After the payment of public employee salaries and pensions from Government revenue and the payment of subsidies including Samurdhi, the tax revenue is used up.

“No matter who runs the Government, only these two functions can be done using tax money. Interest on outstanding loans have been paid by refinancing and once again obtaining loans. Capital expenditure including for other development activities has been met by obtaining loans. Since Independence, every Government has obtained loans in this way both locally and abroad.

“It is impossible to understand the reality of the bankruptcy of the country by planting a politically extremely undeveloped opinion in the youth and students. As a result, a situation has arisen where loss-making Government institutions have to be shut down. If the Sri Lanka Transport Board does not make a profit by the year 2024, there is a risk of privatization. Based on the current situation, there is no legal authority to print even though there is a shortage of money.

“Therefore, it is not possible to maintain the old habits and the old system. When the new chairman was appointed, 39 SLTB bus depots were unable to pay salaries. Due to the programme implemented, that number has been reduced to nine depots as of now.

“The former Police Special Task Force Director, who was in charge of the Western Province, was appointed last week to investigate the fraud and corruption in the institution.

In every case, the common people of the country are employed by the Sri Lanka Transport Board and school students who are the future generation of the country. Therefore, it is up to everyone to fulfil this honourable responsibility safely. The SLTB is working towards implementing many digital projects in the coming year. All those who receive new appointments must be determined to take the Sri Lanka Transport Board to that place in the future”.

Sri Lanka Transport Board Chairman Engineer Lalith De Alwis, SLTB Deputy General Managers, appointees and a large number of people attended.

The post Appointment Letters handed over to SLTB drivers, conductors appeared first on DailyNews.