The real transformation that needs to be done in the transportation sector for the future is to switch from conventional fossil-fuel vehicles to electric vehicles, Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardana said yesterday.
“It is essential to always move forward with modern technology to deal with the developed world as well as to face the current economic crisis. So, necessary steps have already been taken to introduce online methods for paying bus fares. I am steadfastly committed to introducing electric bus and train services instead of using fossil-fuel vehicles that burn more than US 5 billion a year. That is the real transformation that the country needs for the future. For that purpose, proposals will be called for a project to introduce environmentally friendly buses that run on solar power and electricity in Sri Lanka. Cabinet approval has already been obtained for this project. Accordingly, local or foreign investors have the opportunity to invest in this as a joint project with the Sri Lanka Transport Board,” he said. The Minister was speaking at the inauguration of the practical training programme on safe driving techniques for the drivers of the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), yesterday.
The Training and Development Division of the SLTB organized this workshop and International Racing Champion Dilantha Malagamuwa and Racing Champion Ashan Silva participated as resource persons. Fifty drivers selected to represent all the depots in the Western Province participated in this workshop.
The Minister further said about 10 road accidents are reported everyday. More than 3,000 people die every year due to road accidents. The responsibility for a large number of human lives is entrusted to the driver. Therefore, it is essential for drivers to practise safe driving techniques, in the face of the risks they face everyday.
Minister Dr. Gunawardana said that heavy responsibility is assigned to all employees of the SLTB to maintain the institution without incurring losses. “Our country is passing through its most critical economic crisis since Independence. Workers who are engaged in public service should not be working according to different political agendas. As the Government, we are doing everything we can.
Running a government is not as simple as talking about various things on political platforms. If that happens, we will not lose a person or a political party, but our country,” he added.
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