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SLTB struggling to buy tyres and spare parts due to rising prices

08 Jul 2022

  •  Out of 160 train compartments brought from India, 103 have not yet been put to use
  • Ministry officials reveal that diesel issued for some private buses is sold at a higher price
The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) is struggling to purchase tyres and other spare parts for its buses due to the increase in market prices, it was revealed at the recent meeting of the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA). COPA met recently under the chairmanship of MP Prof. Tissa Vitharana to examine the plans developed under the Ministry of Transport and Highways to provide efficient transport services to the general public during the current economic crisis in Sri Lanka.  Here, officials of the Ministry of Transport and Highways explained its future plans to the committee. The members present raised questions regarding the quality of buses and the problems associated with the operation of buses. Officials pointed out that due to rising prices, it has become problematic to buy accessories and spare parts for buses, especially when making purchases after calling for tenders.  They also said that even though the public transport service should be further developed, it has become incredibly difficult for a public institution to buy equipment at the current prices and manage to make a profit. There was also a discussion about the delayed importation of railway compartments that were planned to be imported to Sri Lanka under Indian loan subsidies in 2017. In particular, COPA questioned the officials about the failure to utilise 103 of the 160 railway compartments that were purchased.  Accordingly, the officials explained that the country currently uses a vacuum brake system and some of the purchased train compartments are of the air brake system. When the MPs questioned how approval for the purchasing of non-compliant train compartments was given, it was established that the officers were responsible for the decisions taken. The committee also discussed providing diesel to private buses through filling stations belonging to SLTB depots. The officials, especially, pointed out that some private buses are receiving diesel from these fuel stations and selling it at higher prices. They stated that it is cheaper for bus owners to sell diesel at a higher price than to run buses on their designated routes. Accordingly, the committee pointed out that this situation should be controlled and the public should be prevented from being inconvenienced, and a system should be developed to check whether the buses that pump fuel from the depot filling stations are running. The possibility of applying for Global Positioning System (GPS) technology for buses was also discussed here.  In addition, it was also revealed that although $ 1,056,555 was spent on the Sri Lanka Railways Master Plan in 2017, based on the financial grants of the Asian Development Bank, the same was not included in the Ministry’s budget or financial statements. Accordingly, a report on this was recommended to be given to the COPA.  MPs Tissa Attanayake, Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Dayasiri Jayasekara, Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle, Niroshan Perera, Duminda Dissanayake, Weerasumana Weerasinghe, Dr. Upul Galappaththi, B.Y.G Rathnasekara, and Dr. Harini Amarasuriya were present at the meeting.   


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