New Ministers Assuming Duties National Transport Policy to Parliament IRANGIKA RANGE

PICTORIAL DN New Ministers assuming duties National Transport Policy to Parliament IRANGIKA RANGE

Transport Minister Kumara Welgama assum- ing his duties at the Trans- port Ministry premises in Colombo yesterday said the National Transport Pol- icy to uplift the public transportation system will be presented to Parliament shortly. The Minister addressing invitees and staff after Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva assuming duties. Picture by Ranjith Jayaweera receiving the blessings of religious leaders said that the ultimate goal of putting forward a “National Trans- port Policy” is “to ensure a more comfortable, pleasant and hassle-free journey for the general public.” Transport Minister Kumara Welgama assuming duties. Picture by Ranjith Jayaweera The Minister added that the successful implementa- grams will be launched of 4,800. “We need to work remarkable service ren- tion of such a bill which has while expediting ongoing with Transport Ministers in dered by former Transport already been approved by constructions projects the Provincial Councils in a Minister Dullas Alahappe- the Cabinet would help the under the “Mahinda Chin- good partnership to ensure ruma to usher in a new era national economy in a more tana” policy. the needs of the public,” he in the public transportation productive manner. He said that the railway said. system whilst ensuring an He further expressed and bus services will be He emphasized that as effective and efficient confidence that together given priority to be envisaged in the Presi- transportation system to with Deputy Transport improved for the benefit of dent’s election manifesto, all. Under the vision of the Minister Rohana Kumara the general public. “Mahinda Chintana”, it is Mahinda Chintanaya, I will Dissanayake and the offi- It has been planned to the vision of the Govern- work with Minister cers and staff of the Min- increase the present fleet of ment. Kumara Welgama to fulfill istry they would be able to rail engines up to 52 before I have to make this jour- the expectations of the peo- achieve the targets in tak- May 10 to meet the current ney based on the aspira- ple in remote villages as ing the country towards a demand while the Sri Lanka tions of the general public well as urban areas, Deputy prosperous future. Transport bus fleet will be and it is the duty of this Transport Minister The Minister said that increased gradually up to service to serve the public,” Rohana Kumara Dis- Land and Lands Development Minister Janaka Bandara Tennekoon assumed duties yesterday. Picture by Sarath Weerasinghe many development pro- 6,000 from the present fleet he said. He admired the sanayake said.

National Heritage and Cultural Affairs Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi assumed Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister John Seneviratne assuming Corporatives and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando assuming duties. Pic- duties on Monday. duties. Picture by Sarath Weerasinghe ture by Saman Sri Wedage

Indigenous Medicine Minister Piyasena Gamage and Deputy Minister Pandu Ban- daranayake assumed duties at the Ministry of Indigenous Medicine at Nawinna, Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Chandrasiri Gajadheera assuming duties Maharagama on Monday. Picture by Wehelle Piyathilake, Maharagama Special Corr Resettlement Minister Milroy Fernando assuming duties. yesterday. Picture by Iresha Waduge

National Heritage and Cultural Affairs Deputy Minister Gunaratne Weerakoon Irrigation and Water Resources Management Deputy Minister SM Chandrasena assuming duties. Resettlement Deputy Minister Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan assuming duties. assuming duties. =