No respite for SLTB fraudsters – Minister

Twelve mobile raid units  to check misdeeds

All those who engage in fraud and other malpractices will be suspended from service and investigations will be conducted and maximum punishment will be given without any political, party, ranks or other affiliations, Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana said.

He was responding to questions from journalists after a public event in Colombo regarding the Minister’s recent decision to disband the Sri Lanka Transport Board flying squad.

“It has become a habit for some drivers and conductors to pilfer a large share of the daily revenue collected through ticket sales in buses, It has grown to such an extent that the administration of the SLTB is finding it difficult to control it.

Due to the SLTB flying squad not functioning properly, it has been found that the institution is losing more than 10 million rupees due to non-issuance of valid tickets to commuters on a daily basis,” the Minister said.

The Minister went on to say that to prevent such malpractices, strict measures will be taken, and as one such measure a decision had been taken to disband the SLTB flying squad.

The Minister further said, he has instructed the SLTB Chairman to establish 12 mobile raid units at the provincial level in the coming week.

“The Inspector General has also been informed in writing about this situation which is theft of national property. It should be stopped completely,” he stressed.

He also said that the unions and others have been informed that it will not be possible to uplift the institution if employees pilfer money during every journey.

The Minister also requested the passengers to get a valid ticket every time they embark on a journey in a SLTB bus.

“If tickets are not given, steps will be taken to quickly prepare a special procedure to complain about it,” he added.

The Minister further said that if the SLTB, which is a public property cannot be maintained, the biggest loss will be for the masses and this can be done only by stopping theft and fraud.

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