Procedural shortcomings hindered progress within SLTB – Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana
Media, Transport and Highways Minister Dr Bandula Gunawardhana stated that the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) lacked procedure concerning the recruitment of staff, the necessary qualifications to be met, and due process for promotions.
He stated that the SLTB encountered numerous challenges due to the lack of qualified individuals to fill certain positions within the Board.
The Minister was speaking at the presentation of National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) certificates for 240 Technicians who have served the SLTB Engineering Division for a long period. The ceremony was held at the Information Department Auditorium, under the patronage of Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana.
“There are a large number of Technicians who have rendered great service to the SLTB Technical Department on Temporary and Contract basis for a long time, without any confidence of future of work”, the Minister said. He said this institution did not have a proper procedure with regard to Recruitment of employees, the Qualifications that have to be fulfilled, and Promotions. The Minister stated that, due to the prolonged efforts of trade unions and the collective intervention of all stakeholders, a significant milestone was achieved in implementing a service structure for the SLTB, marking a historic moment in its history. He said it is not possible to rid of employees according to the whims of anyone. A position has been received according to the qualification. Properly performing the duties of the position will lead to promotion. “Many people have not completed the qualifications to be established in their professions, when the service constitution is completed. It is not the fault of the employees concerned. In our country’s education system, students were only given knowledge about subjects like Science, Arts and Commerce. The Minister added that he succeeded in introducing a new subject stream called Technology to the Eeducation system as Education Minister during President Mahinda Rajpaksa’s tenure.
“If these individuals had the chance to pursue that particular curriculum, there would be no necessity to acquire the NVQ qualification. Regrettably, such a programme was not available during that period”, he said .
Minister Gunawardhana added that Faculties of Technology have emerged in universities as well. “Graduates who have studied Automobile Engineering and other Technical subjects are produced. At present there are job opportunities for people who have completed the qualification”, he said.
Former Transport Minister and Parliamentarian Gamini Lokuge, SLTB Chairman Lalith De Alwis, CEO Mahesh Kulathilaka and Deputy General Manager Panduka Swarnahasnsa were among those present.
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