JVP supports govt. move

by Dasun Edirisinghe

The JVP-led All Ceylon Transport Workers Union (ACTWU) yesterday pledged to support the government’s decision to import 3,000 new buses for the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) fleet.

ACTWU General Secretary Sepala

Liyanage told The Island that private bus owners had no right to oppose any decision to increase the SLTB fleet of buses.

"There are 22,500 private buses in the country but only 5,000 SLTB buses operate countrywide," Liyanage said.

He said that it was very essential to increase the number of buses operated by the SLTB for the convenience of the people and the union appreciated the minister’s decision.

According to the 56th page of the Mahinda Chinthanaya policy, President Mahinda Rajapaksa promised 5,000 new buses for the SLTB, Liyanage said adding that of that number only 2,263 buses had been imported so far.

"We ask the SLTB management to import the balance 2,277 as promised in the Mahinda Chinthanaya," he said.

The trade unionist said that they wanted the import of these buses to take place in a transparent way and they were with the minister if he ran into any problem created by, the private sector.