Welgama plays Romeo in P’ment

By Ashwin Hemmathagama

Transport Minister Kumara Welgama, yesterday responding to a question raised by UNP MP Rosy Senanayake on the SLTB, made some loutish comments admiring her beauty, attributing it as the reason for him being there to reply in person. This was identified as “an insult and a sexist remark” by her.

“Today is the happiest day during my 19 years in Parliament. I am very happy a pretty lady like her is asking me questions. Thank you for asking me these questions. I can’t utter a word due to this shock! For me everything gets tangled when I see you. I am only looking at your face, but not at even the Deputy Speaker. My feelings cannot be explained when I see her. If you come out, I will tell. Lady, do you have any issues if I look at you?” said Minister Welgama yesterday in Parliament.

Moving on with his responses, Minister Welgama stated that SLTB had 7,735 buses, out of which 5,932 were in running condition. “We have 1,803 buses identified not suitable for running. Out of the total there are 2,156 buses which were in service for over 15 years and 2,676 with a running period of less than 10 years. When analysed, there are 296 buses without batteries and 929 buses garaged due to various other reasons,” he added.

According to Minister Welgama discussions are underway with a Chinese company to bring in new buses to replace the breakdown on a “earn and pay” scheme. “The model we suggest is ‘earn and pay,’ where the Government need not put any money. However, private bus associations have expressed their concern. We will conduct discussions with these private bus associations to showcase that such imports will only replace the broken down busses and would not have a direct impact on them.

“Prior to September this year we have started a new payment method for the employees where they receive Rs. 10,100 from the Treasury credited directly to their bank accounts. Apart from this, these employees should earn the remainder of their salaries. Some of them don’t work towards earning and sell their turn to the private busses. These employees also have a duty to earn the balance payment of their salary,” said Minister Welgama.