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Bandula to run buses without conductors from July 1
The Ministry of Transport has decided to introduce a bus transport service without conductors from July 1st, on the instructions of Transport Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardana.
With the new mechanism, the SLTB expects to put an end to the pilfering of revenue by conductors and also operational costs of buses, Minister Dr. Gunawardana said.
“We first run SLTB buses on all expressways without conductors from July 01 as a pilot project. With the success of it, we expect to operate all SLTB buses around the country only with the driver who will oversee the operation of the ticketing machine,’ he said.
Accordingly, tickets will be issued only at the beginning of the journey for SLTB buses plying on expressways.
The decision to issue tickets at the beginning of the journey has been taken after the detection of a racket where fake tickets had been given to 34 passengers on a SLTB bus on the Southern Expressway for the Matara-Makumbura journey for which a ticket costs Rs. 1200.
The Criminal Investigations Department is conducting investigations into the racket.
The Ministry of Transport is also working to introduce e-tickets for all local buses and trains in the next three months.
In Europe, England and other developed countries passenger transport services are operated in least possible staff and buses are run only with a driver. Tickets are issued when the passenger boards the bus from the front door. (Sandun A Jayasekera)
Comments - 56
Comments - Bandula to run buses without conductors from July 1
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CJ Monday, 19 June 2023 06:33 AM
Please do a study on Train warrants and the 10 or so seat entitlement of the senior Railway officials on every long distance train. Its so hard to purchase tickets these days for long distance travel but on the day of the journey we see so many empty seats..its impossible to believe that paid customers won't turn up....it has to be the warret holder and Gov is paying for nothing!!!
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සිසිල් සුදේශ් Monday, 19 June 2023 06:39 AM
Pilfering from ticket issues has to be prevented no doubt (together with other forms of pilfering taking place at higher levels). Yet Minister should not jump to the removal of conductors without consideration. In addition to issuing tickets, a conductor has to assist passengers during the journey, help the driver in maneuvering the bus at stations and several other services. Outside the expressway services conductor's role is vital to see that passengers embarking and debarking are safe before the bus moves. Busses without conductors have to be modified so that passengers get in at the front and get down at the back only. And drivers have to be specially trained for that operation to ensure safety. Don't rush in Bandula, this will have to come about only after you improve the services and have a better fleet. (continued)
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Sisil Sudesh Monday, 19 June 2023 06:43 AM
(carried from previous) Immediately transition into e-ticketing seems to be indicated. Please avoid the fiasco done by a provincial politician some years ago, with a commission going to a near relative from each journey, as alleged. A good e-ticketing system with smart cards will help both the passengers and operators.
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Truth Monday, 19 June 2023 07:16 AM
Good idea but what if the Driver too does the same tricks. That's Lankan style. Garment industries couldn't go for backward integration to produce the fabrics because of people's poor attitude. All the state managed Textile industries ended up as big failure due to corruption.
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Mohan Monday, 19 June 2023 07:31 AM
So, what happens to the conductors? Will they be given alternative jobs?
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MWAI Fernando Monday, 19 June 2023 07:43 AM
Good move...! but nowadays the jobs are also important. Its not adequate to compare Srilanka to Europe. There are no rogues in Parliaments in Europe and from top to bottom all are civilized. There are places where people can buy flowers or vegetables without even vendors. Prices are given and you just put the money in the placed box and take what you want and go. Is this possible in Srilanka ??
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Citizen k Monday, 19 June 2023 07:46 AM
Time to take good practices from other countries and implement them here.There will be initial resistance but look at one way traffic it flows smoothly.
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Tissa Fernando Monday, 19 June 2023 08:01 AM
So, this basically covers one route from Kottawa to Galle or beyond. But are all the buses equipped in such a way so the driver can handle the tickets and money. In developed countries, mostly the fare is paid by a card , if cash is accepted then the exact fare should be put into the money box which driver could see. Those drivers do not handle money . So majority of people use cards or mobile ticket ( the ticket QR is stored in the Mobile phone and the passenger scans it at the time of check in). To work this effectively, all systems and processes should be in place. Generally in Sri Lanka, a Minister says something and it is implemented without any system or process and everything gets into a mess. Hope that does not happen here.
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Duminda Monday, 19 June 2023 08:05 AM
In Sri Lanka labor is cheap compared to Western countries. So its better to have a conductor to manage the bus.
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Avery Markham Monday, 19 June 2023 08:07 AM
Excellent, implement the Oyster card system in England.
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Sivalingam Monday, 19 June 2023 08:07 AM
Put cctv and gps on all buses.
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Kabir Hashim Monday, 19 June 2023 08:09 AM
Drivers cannot pilfer ?
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There will be a lot of back door entries to bypass the new system Monday, 19 June 2023 08:15 AM
Some commuters will try to defraud the system by trying to enter through the back door. So they do not have to pay the cost of ticket like entering from the front door. Western countries have system where passengers disembark before new ones are taken up. However, there could be plenty of tricks done here. Also in Western countries the students pay no fare when wearing school clothing on school days on public transport.
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Brian Imbuldeniya Monday, 19 June 2023 08:21 AM
Sounds like a good initiative , but most of this minister's ideas are not practical, we do not have enough CTB busses, during office hours and school times passengers are jam-packed and squeezed inside, would the driver have enough time to issue tickets during rush hours? and this could delay the travel time, if the checkers are doing a perfect job and if the CTB has proper adminitration these things could be avoided, there is no way of comparing our country with developed countries. We have seen how this minister's decision have made things worse over the past years. I don't think I have to mention all that, citizens of Sri Lanka knows well. And if he is trying to stop corruption and pilferig that should come from top to bottom not vice-versa.
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Ams Monday, 19 June 2023 08:21 AM
Am from Australia. We use Opal cards on Trains and Buses in Sydney. There is NO conductors in the buses. It is also possible in Sri Lanka as well.
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Idea sounds good, but what happens when bus is packed full Monday, 19 June 2023 08:23 AM
There has been pilfering of revenue by conductors for many decades. It is only now technology is available to block it. How can it work when busses are packed full. What if the only space is at the back door?
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Mahila Tuesday, 20 June 2023 08:22 AM
There will be NO BACK DOOR!!! FRONT DOOR next to driver Only - Access, Egress!! Plan Trip and start moving to front exit 3 or 4 halts before destination!!! No possibility, Pick Pocket “Jump off”, in Transit, as door will be closed, until next STOP!! Inconvenience – Price to be paid for dishonesty and Corruption!!??
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Devendra WILLIAM Monday, 19 June 2023 08:55 AM
Good move if it could be implemented. Hope bus drivers will not go on strike, bcos they get half share of the extra money collected by the conductor.
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LSRM Monday, 19 June 2023 09:52 AM
It's time for Sri Lanka to introduce Pre Paid travel cards with Tap
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Leelasena Siripala - CTB conductor Monday, 19 June 2023 10:45 AM
Bandula for a bus now at CTB there are four conductors, what will happen to the conductors? Will you put them to sweep the CTB bust depots. Madness....maybe you are going to import Ticket Machines on 20% commission to your pocket.
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Mahila Monday, 19 June 2023 01:19 PM
Why 6 conductors??? To support the overweight suspended articles in the Bus and personal effects!!!??? Load of BS!!?? Driver issues tickets and get the payment and correct Change, if any!! After that he is Sky Larking!!??? How are the drivers managing in Australia, UK, America and Continental Europe!?? The reason, why our systems run at Loss. NO Productivity in state ventures!!!?? What 1 man/woman could do 6 people do inefficiently!!??
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Sue Kirthisinghe Monday, 19 June 2023 11:14 AM
Prepaid Travel Cards are the only solution. But how many bus commuters in Sri Lanka are able to do that? Therefore, conductors should not be done away with until the system becomes foolproof and people get used to it. The new system should be introduced gradually with both options available at first as otherwise there will be chaos.
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Mahila Monday, 19 June 2023 04:10 PM
If both system runs in Parallel, then Conductors, would make the new system unworkable, because it is in their interest!!??
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L Jaya Monday, 19 June 2023 11:42 AM
Let Bandula drives the buses during the trial run. At least he could gather first hand experiences. You can justify the salary he earns as a minister.
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Love lk Monday, 19 June 2023 11:58 AM
I like this move...do you know why ?. I feel sorry for our drivers and many of them are hard working people and I feel sorry for them and let them have some money in this way ..This give them opportunity to handle some cash and let tj take 10% .. If politicians can take 20% why not them taking 10% . Let them have some money from the sale of the tickets by some legal or illegal means . Conductors have been doing it for years and the government save their salary and let them give to drivers
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Raththaran Monday, 19 June 2023 12:10 PM
Bandula is showing Clean where Bus Conductors are pilfering the fares collected .COULDN'T HE HAVE SHOWN THE SAME ENTHUSIASM TO STOP PARLIAMENTARIANS FROM ROBBING THE COUNTRY AND BRINGING IT TO A STATE OF BANKRUPTCY ? PARLIAMENTARIANS FROM PLUNDERING THE COUNTRY AND BRINGING TO
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Commuter Monday, 19 June 2023 12:17 PM
How do we prevent a Hambantota bound passenger boarding a bus at Kottawa and buying a ticket from the Driver to only Galle ?
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Mahila Monday, 19 June 2023 04:06 PM
Ticket Checkers must be employed to check every MAIN sector, such as CMB to Kalutara, Kalutara to Ambalangoda, Ambalangoda to Galle, Galle to Matara, then Matara and beyond!!! Cameras should be installed and as Progressive measure to help passengers the vehicle could be "sectored" (3 or 4 areas) to accommodate passengers destined to Ambalangoda, Galle and Matara so that the driver could have surveillance check whether Galle ticket passengers are going beyond to Matara or Hambantota!!!?? Alert Ticket checkers - by special 'Push Button' signal to base!!!???
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Mahila Friday, 23 June 2023 07:07 AM
‘Commuter’, During a recent overseas chat with relatives in Southern US, there seems availability - system, deal with “ISSUE RAISED” by you!!?? 'Short-changing', ‘FALSIFYING’ final DESTINATION!!??? Proposed System employs, a “2-STATION SYSTEM”!! One at REAR ENTRY POINT, where On-boarding Ticket Issued AND FRONT EXIT – Off-Boarding/Destination Point and the ticket is PRICED and PAYMENT MADE!!!??? Passenger should retain in person AT ALL TIMES continuance of Journey!? Anyone ‘loses or misplaces’ On-Boarding ticket, then at disembarkation, is charged “FULL FARE” from Starting Point of BUS!! Presume same applies NOW!? When ‘Off-boarding’ at desired point – EXITS next to driver, INSERTS ‘On-Boarding Card’ issued at ENTRY, to bus!!?? Machine computes based on DISTANCE moved or LOCATION (GPS) (TBC)
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Mahila Friday, 23 June 2023 07:17 AM
(Part II) of ‘Off-Boarding’ POINT of Passenger!? IDENTICAL to ‘COMMERCIAL CAR PARKING LOT’ operates! Main difference between systems proposed for BUSES and PARKING LOTS is Former operates either CONNECTED to Bus’s DIGITAL ODOMETER OR GPS NAVIGATION!!?? Latter based on DIGITAL CLOCK – at entry/exit points!!?? Cheating by falsifying EMBARKATION AND DIS-EMBARKATION is totally eliminated!? The system presently uses RECHARGE CARD to use the service, "recharging", likened to Mobile SIM!!?? (That eliminates "Cash Heist" enroute) If, that is mitigated securely or 'Insurance - Money in Transit' allows cash payments would be acceptable!!??
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Wiraj Monday, 19 June 2023 12:34 PM
Railways Dept. also loses lot of money, as some travel without tickets at all. No proper mechanism to check in the trains, while at stations many exit not via the main gate but thru sideways only.
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Grace Monday, 19 June 2023 12:43 PM
Automated announcement system of each halt should be installed for the convenience of passengers like in certain countries.
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Mahila Monday, 19 June 2023 01:20 PM
Good One, Bandula. Do it soon!
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Gerry (UK) Monday, 19 June 2023 01:34 PM
In the United Kingdom and other European countries they do not have conductors to reduce employees and costs because labour is in short supply and expensive. In Sri Lanka labour is both cheap and in abundant supply. Instead of following developed countries blindly, Sri Lanka should develop based on its own ground realities. Once labour becomes unavailable (with all young people fleeing the country) and expensive, this may be considered. Perhaps the learned minister is expecting the country to be depleted of labour in the future? Otherwise what to do with supporters who need jobs?
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Mahila Tuesday, 20 June 2023 05:46 AM
Gerry (UK), That is true and factual and THEN ADD to the MIX, Corruption, Bribery, Nepotism and Thieving, which happens and a 'BY WORD' in Public Departments and Corporations!!??? Employees are Inveigled or Coerced by the 'Gang already Institutionalised' as the "Progressive and Proletariat Leadership Team", in every Institution!!!??? The more Human Intervention and Interaction (HI
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Tharuki Monday, 19 June 2023 11:35 PM
Please get rid of the Thorombal type buses which are painted in different colors and different names like "this patikki, that Patikki" and so on. It shows the immature upbringing of people. A public transport system in a country should have an identifiable decent color code.
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Mahila Tuesday, 20 June 2023 06:02 AM
The reason for BANKRUPTCY of SL is due to the famous answer to the question, "Otherwise what to do with supporters who need jobs?" STUFF all the Government Agencies with all the supporters, whether those institutions require or not the additional Manpower!!! Starting with Bandula's Uncle, (Present PM's father), SWRDB, FDB, TBI, TBS, Lalith, Gamini, R Premadasa Cyril M., et all!!!??? Overloaded beyond reason after 72 years the Ship had to sink - Overweight to FLOAT anymore!!!??? SL needs to VEER away from this Bad Idea!? Sooner the Better, than at Bottom of The proverbial Sea!!??
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sam Tuesday, 20 June 2023 09:28 AM
More unemployment at a time people are struggling to live. These guys are fed by the people.
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Srinath Rathugama Tuesday, 20 June 2023 09:45 AM
Well done Minister Bandula. Do it soon. And consider to study "Japanese ticket issuing machine method" which is easy to use and one has to pay the ticket value at the end of their journey at front door near the driver, so driver always able to see ticket amount and passenger' s paid amount etc. Here passengers can get into the bus only from back door and every one has to take a ticket at different entrances through out the journey at different bus stops. And other things is this new project will mainly help to increase of revenue and zero misused revenue collection by conductors.
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Mahila Tuesday, 20 June 2023 11:47 AM
Srinath, That's a good system, to counter the moves of the Kottawa on boarding Passenger going to Hambantota being unable to buy ticket only to Galle by falsification!!!
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VJ Wednesday, 21 June 2023 12:31 PM
Countries have different ticketing systems. One day ticket for busses within city limits. Point to point journeys, tickets are sold in grocery stores close to the bus terminal and accepted by the bus. A rechargeable card system such as the one used in subways. This way neither the driver or the conductor handles cash. We have to solve a number of issues before that.
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DillonDP Wednesday, 21 June 2023 06:24 PM
Can Bandu run this country without ministers
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Samantha Dissanayake Wednesday, 21 June 2023 10:40 PM
This is good initiative. Can he run the buses without horns too ?
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Tuition Master Thursday, 22 June 2023 02:55 PM
Bandu wants to earn a name before he is removed from this Portfolio.
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SSZKHAN Thursday, 22 June 2023 11:08 PM
Conductors are a nuisance.They move vulgarly within the bus brushing against the passengers....they are like monkeys...
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Edie Friday, 23 June 2023 04:46 AM
Why not fix an automatic ticket machine by the use of a debit card ? In order to calculate the fair there should be number coding for each town fed into the system which the machine will read and issue the ticket with the exact fare.This has to be programmed by every Bus depot. This will eliminate the handling of cash by the driver.
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Mahila Saturday, 24 June 2023 05:13 AM
Unfortunately, every citizen is comprehensively conversant with the use of Cards, leading to disgruntled Populace - recipe for disaster and limiting the travel aspirations of the Poor Villagers, who would use this facility!!!??? Cash cum card is the best solution and safe locked until bus reaches its Depot!!???
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Ponnamperuma Aratchige Jayasumana Perera Friday, 23 June 2023 10:15 AM
Congratulations for attempting to cut down on waste and unnecessary spending on conductors.
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Joker Friday, 23 June 2023 10:28 AM
To counter any wrong doing by passengers , some are suggesting that Checkers be employed at different points. Is this practicable as you will need as many Checkers as Conductors and the Checkers are human and they too will resort to corruption ! It is the same as removing the Conductors and employing the same Conductors as Checkers ?
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Mahila Friday, 23 June 2023 08:18 PM
"Is this PRACTICABLE as you will need AS MANY CHECKERS AS CONDUCTORS" Check 60 to 70 passengers, Bus load (FULL) needs no more than 3 people (one at exit, one at Entry to secure – none leaves or enters, 3rd man checking passengers)! SPOT checking for instance between Ambalangoda and Galle and returning to Ambalangoda making SPOT check in the opposite direction - ½ to ¾ hour exercise each way!?? Vary their timing and areas daily!!!? Does not therefore breed the 'Familiarity', as conductor on same Route and Same 'Sector' Day-in and Day-out!? Familiarity leads to Favouritisms, Corruption!!?? Checkers rotated too!? That would enable the checkers to target 10 buses each direction (60X10x2 = 1200 passengers) than what 3 conductors would achieve in a day (2X 70 =140) passengers including Return trip. Jokes apart Productive, Effective!!!??
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Mahila Saturday, 24 June 2023 06:02 AM
"Is this PRACTICABLE as you will need AS MANY CHECKERS AS CONDUCTORS" Check 60 – 70 passengers, Bus load (FULL) needs no more than 3 people (one at exit, one at Entry to secure – none leaves or enters, 3rd man checking passengers)! Say, for instance SPOT checking, between Ambalangoda and Galle and returning thereafter to Ambalangoda making SPOT checking Buses, in the opposite direction - ½ to ¾ hour exercise each way!?? Timing and areas varied daily!!!? Checkers rotated too!? Familiarity leads to mutual Favouritisms, Corruption progressing to issue of ‘Fake Tickets’, ‘Pocketing’, proceeds!!?? “It takes 2 to Tango” – more than one person, paired inextricably – and actively!!? Enables Checkers target 10 buses daily, (ACTIVE WORK) each direction (60X10x2 = 1200 passengers) more than 3 conductors, achieve lounging in Bus. SPOT Checking enhances, Productivity, and Cost Effective!!??
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Mahila Saturday, 24 June 2023 02:15 PM
‘Commuter’, During a recent overseas chat with relatives in Southern US, there seems availability - system, deal with “ISSUE RAISED” by you!!?? 'Short-changing', ‘FALSIFYING’ final DESTINATION!!??? Proposed System employs, a “2-STATION SYSTEM”!! One at REAR ENTRY POINT, where On-boarding Ticket Issued AND FRONT EXIT – Off-Boarding/Destination Point and the ticket is PRICED and PAYMENT MADE!!!??? Passenger should retain in person AT ALL TIMES continuance of Journey!? Anyone ‘loses or misplaces’ On-Boarding ticket, then at disembarkation, is charged “FULL FARE” from Starting Point of BUS!! Presume same applies NOW!? When ‘Off-boarding’ at desired point – EXITS next to driver, INSERTS ‘On-Boarding Card’ issued at ENTRY, to bus!!?? Machine computes ‘FARE PAYABLE’ based on DISTANCE moved from EMBARKATION Point and/or LOCATION (GPS)
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dickie bird Saturday, 24 June 2023 03:09 PM
Some stupid idea. Get the Leyland lorry Chassis busses off the road.
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Mahila Sunday, 25 June 2023 06:58 AM
Where is the Money USD to pay for alternative AIR CUSHION SUSPENSION FITTED buses!!??? Begging Bowl is still around and HE President has one he takes around and/or give bank direction for your savings account to Pay for 10 Buses to Kick-Start Bandula’s “Conductor Less” Project!!? If you do that Bandula would get Cabinet approval to channel extra earnings or savings by axing the conductors (there was a commentator who indicated the every bus now has 6 conductors (Not 1), to handle the bus trips – Kid’s Gloves
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SSZ KHAN Monday, 26 June 2023 10:59 PM
Bandula can be a bus conductor......
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Jo Joo Jooo Chin Tuesday, 27 June 2023 10:45 AM
Then what will happen to the conductors who were earning over 75,000/= illegally, appointed by Mahinda Rajapakshe from Hambantota, Galle and Matara who were loitering without jobs.
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