We must be grateful to heroic Armed Forces - Transport Minister

Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma yesterday said that with the regaining of Pooneryn by the Armed Forces plans are afoot to operate the CTB bus service from Colombo through A-32 road shortly.

He said that the nation is grateful to the heroic Armed Forces. He commended the Forces for liberating the people from LTTE tyranny.

Minister Alahapperuma stated the service of the three Armed Forces must not be forgotten as they are fighting the terrorists to protect the motherland.

He made these observations after handing over appointment letters to 106 graduates in the CTB at a ceremony held at the Shalika Hall, Narahenpita.

He said the collective intention of the patriotic leaders whose desire was to render better safety public transport service would become a reality under the Mahinda Chinthana national concept.

He said that it is the duty of those who received appointment letters to strengthen the CTB according to the Mahinda Chinthana concept while rendering a better public transport service.

“This is the first time that the CTB is absorbing such a large quantity of graduates and all these appointments are based on qualifications,” Minister Alahapperuma added.

The newly appointed graduates will serve as accounts assistants, audit assistants, finance assistants, information technology assistants, plan assistants and human resource assistants in the Board. Passenger Transport Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Chief Executive Officer of the CTB Dhammika Hewapathirana and several officers were also present.