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By Gamini Warushamana

A Fresh move by the government to transform Ceylon Transport Board (CTB) into a profitable venture is being sabotaged by some corrupt officials and trade union leaders, Transport Ministry sources said. New initiatives have been implemented to restructure the venture following the proposed policies in the 'Mahinda Chintanaya' under the guidance of the President Mahinda Rajapakse and the Transport Minister A. H. M. Fowzie.

The Government recently appointed professionals to the Directorate of the (CTB) and entrusted them to restructure (CTB) accordingly to make it profitable. Head, Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Moratuwa Prof. Rahula Atalage, Transport Economist and a Senior Lecturer of the University of Colombo Dr. Lalithasiri Gunaruwan and financial management expert and Engineer of the DFCC bank Palitha Gamage have been appointed as new board members of the CTB. The new management of the CTB has decided to halt political interference in CTB appointments at national, regional and depot level. Qualified personnel would be engaged, sources said.

However, a trade union leader of the CTB who expected a Working Director post is reported to be sabotaging the current restructuring process, sources said. The board of directors have rejected his application as he does not posses the required qualifications. However, this union leader is said to be using political influence to get the post, they said. The newly appointed Board has threatened to resign, if the political appointments are made.

The new management has worked out a plan to settle legal and administrative issues in the CTB, arisen as a result of different organisational structures that prevailed in the past such as cluster bus companies. These policies of the Board has been accepted by the President and the Transport Minister, sources said.

The CTB is over staffed and there are 40,000 employees for 3,500 buses that are in operation. The CTB operates 650,000 passenger Km per year and the operational loss of the venture is Rs. 4 per passenger Km.

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