Transport Minister takes aim at Northern Provincial Council

Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Nimal Siripala De Silva criticised the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) for failing to provide services to the people on time with the powers it has already been given. Speaking at the opening of the new bus terminal in Vavuniya Minister De Silva stated that while the NPC was justified from its point of view in asking for more powers, it must also take the blame for not doing much with powers it already has. 

"You demand milk. We not only give you the bottle but we even put it in your mouth. But you don't drink," he quipped. 

As such, he requested NPC members to take full advantage of the opportunities offered by President Maithripala Sirisena. 

The Minister further said that it was time to bring an end to the 'war' that was still ongoing between the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and private bus operators. 

Built at a cost of Rs.195 million, the Vavuniya bus terminal is the first bus terminal built in the Northern Province by the National Transport Commission. 

Ministers Rishard Bathiudeen, Deputy Minister Ashok Abeysinghe, Parliamentarian K. Masthan and Northern Province Governor Reginald Cooray were among those who were present on the occassion. 

By Romesh Madhusanka

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