Hon.Dilum Amunugama, who was the State Minister of Vehicle Regulation, Bus Transport Services and Train Compartments and Motor Car Industry, and the State Minister of Community Police, assumed duties as the Cabinet Minister of Transport at the Ministry of Transport on the morning of 07.03.2022.Speaking after assuming duties, the Minister, Mr. Dilum Amunugama said that Hon. President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has entrusted him with a very special responsibility and it is his duty to fulfill those responsibilities well.
He also said that although the entire public transport service sector is currently in somewhat of a crisis, he was committed to overcoming such challenges and maintaining public transport services to the fullest in line with theVistas of Prosperity and Spelendour policy framework. He added that he will support the efficient operation of the public transport service as well as the private bus industry in fulfilling these public transport aspirations.
The Minister also stated that the Government intends to go beyond the traditional modes of transport and provide a comfortable service to the public, using the latest technologies. Speaking further Minister of Transport, Mr. Dilum Amunugama said that action will be taken to provide railway transport facilities for the tourists in addition to the road passenger transport service facilities. The Minister added that the supply of fuel is essential for the proper functioning of the transport sector and that in consultation with the SLTB, Department of Railways, and the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, action has been taken to make fuel available for the SLTB and the Railway service from the quantity coming into the country.
He further mentioned that no train service or SLTB service has been stopped due to the lack of fuel, and for the first time, we have set an example by taking action to provide fuel for the private buses too, by sharing the fuel available to the SLTB. Minister of Energy, Mr.Gamini Lokuge, Minister, Mr. Sarath Weerasekera, and Secretaries to the Ministries and some other participants were present on the occasion of assuming duties by the Minister, Mr. Dilum Amunugama.