-By LeN Transport Correspondent (Who Was Late Because His Bus Never Came)
(Lanka-e-News -06.June.2025, 10.30 PM) Ladies and gentlemen, hold your tickets and brace yourselves: Lanka-e-News has officially launched its Award of the Day, and today, the conductor of this inaugural accolade is none other than the new Chairman of the Sri Lanka Transport Board, Mr. Jeewaka Prasanna Purasinghe—a man who has taken “public service” quite literally, one depot inspection at a time.
Yes, you read that correctly. While most government appointees are still learning how to unlock the official vehicle, Mr. Purasinghe has already mapped the nation’s bus depots like an overenthusiastic Google Maps intern. He didn’t just assume duties this morning. He stormed into Narahenpita SLTB headquarters, rolled up his sleeves, and declared war—not on political opponents, but on rusting buses and unpaid conductor salaries.
A product of St. Anthony’s College, Matara, and a science graduate from the University of Kelaniya, Mr. Purasinghe brings not just academic qualifications to the job but something rarely seen in public transport these days: a timetable that works.
Yes, during the chaos of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year season—when Colombo’s central bus stand usually resembles the final scene from Mad Max—our newly-minted Chairman was spotted personally reviewing schedules, walking platforms, and even asking the passengers whether they liked the new seat covers. We can’t confirm if he offered boiled eggs wrapped in yesterday’s newspaper, but we wouldn’t be surprised.
If Sri Lanka had a reality TV show titled “Bus Depot Rescue”, Jeewaka Prasanna would be its undisputed star. Instead of hiding behind mahogany desks and dodging unions, he’s been bouncing from one depot to another, armed with a pen, a clipboard, and what appears to be an indestructible sense of duty.
His current mission? Locate every abandoned, spider-infested bus carcass in the country and bring it back to life. Mechanics are being revived. Depots once known only for tea and gossip are now buzzing with activity. Apparently, one mechanic was so shocked to see the Chairman walk in unannounced, he dropped his spanner and offered him lunch.
Jeewaka Prasanna has a vision: convert the SLTB from a subsidised dinosaur, wheezing under years of political interference and ghost employees, into a sleek, profit-sharing, passenger-friendly machine. That’s right—profit-sharing. According to insiders (and one very excited bus driver from Ratmalana), the Chairman plans to share a portion of the future profits with the SLTB workforce itself.
“Imagine that,” the driver said, “We fix the bus. The bus makes money. We get more than just a dry bun and lukewarm tea for our efforts!”
Here’s where things get spicy. The CTB (as many of us still lovingly call it) is starting to compete with private buses. And not by playing dirty, but by actually offering better service. Drivers instructed to be polite. Conductors trained not to treat passengers like walking ATMs. Buses that arrive on time. Air fresheners that smell like something other than engine oil. It’s the kind of shift that would make even the most hardened cynic reach for their season ticket.
Under Mr. Purasinghe’s watch, the CTB isn’t just making a comeback. It’s staging a revolution, quietly proving that a public institution—yes, a government-run institution—can not only match the private sector but beat them, bus horn and all.
So here at Lanka e-News, we are thrilled—no, honoured—to launch our Award of the Day series with Jeewaka Prasanna. We salute his energy, his no-nonsense attitude, and his willingness to do something so scandalously rare in this country: his actual job.
While others hide behind circulars, our Chairman is drawing new routes. While most state sector officials are experts in meetings that achieve nothing, this man has gone full throttle on fixing what’s broken—and let’s be honest, when was the last time anyone fixed anything in Sri Lanka without first calling three committees and a monk?
So here it is: a big round of applause, a gold-plated bus token (figuratively, of course), and a standing ovation from commuters across the nation. Jeewaka Prasanna, take a bow. Just don’t miss the 6:15 from Pettah to Panadura—you might be needed at the depot.
Editor’s Note: If you, dear reader, spot a public servant doing something unthinkable—like being competent—send us their name. Tomorrow’s Award of the Day might just be theirs.
By LeN Transport Correspondent (Who Was Late Because His Bus Never Came)
---------------------------
by (2025-06-06 17:01:20)
)
Read 20814 Times
Leave a Reply
0 discussion on this news