Brothel inside Central Bus Stand

It is about what's happening at Colombo Central Bus Terminal... The real path-ethic!

Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) Monitoring Officers attached to the Central Bus Stand in Pettah in charge of the Central Bus Terminal (CBT) complained of a litany of wrongs plaguing the CBT including rampant bribery and corruption on the part of officials.

Minister of Internal Transport Ranjith Madduma Bandara and the Chairman of the SLTB visit the venue but they only look at the surface of things and do not talk to anyone, the Monitoring Officers noted, adding that the administration of the place had come to a complete standstill.

In one instance, an iron fence has been put up to give a wide berth and prominence to the signposting board announcing the presence of lavatory facilities, thereby occupying space meant for the parking of buses, they added, noting also that as a result buses had to be parked in McCallum Road. The contractor of the toilet also has three shops at the entrance of the CBT. The moment one enters from the main road, even though it is unlawful to have shops by entrances as buses moving in and out pose a risk to those who buy goods from the shops, they noted. In another case, the water pump which provides drinking water to all and is near the motor room, which should be free of germs, is now having its top cover instead being used to keep empty bottles, they remarked. There are then high voltage deep freezers and fridges used in shops, for which the electricity current is obtained from the motor room which belongs to the SLTB along with the electricity, and then money is obtained from the shop owners and the series of shops for the provision of electricity, they explained. The wiring for the above is done by running wires over the SLTB ones and using plug points and sockets located on the walls, they observed.

Elsewhere, although the use of the overhead sump is prohibited the rule is being violated, they noted, adding also that water from the toilets fall onto those awaiting to board buses which travel on the expressways and highways, which incidentally also charges bigger amounts as the fare. The Welfare Officer-in-charge of the matter is taking kickbacks and is not providing any solution for the matter which involves water contaminated with faecal matter, they outlined. The person who obtained the contract of the toilet has now taken up the canteen operation and apart from selling overpriced food has started providing restroom facilities (Rs 1,500) and is running a knocking shop/brothel, they added.

“The Union has only two persons. They, along with the Manager and other officials, are all in on the take. All what is happening here are unauthorized. What happened with the previous government cannot take place with the present one, yet this is precisely what is occurring. The Chairman has been notified and petitions have been signed and sent, yet all such matters are being swept under the carpet. Most recently, someone who opposed the putting up of an barbed wire fence near the toilet was assaulted and those who assaulted him are filing a case against him. Near the platform to board buses to Kandy there are four freezers and it is near impossible to get on to the platform to board buses to Hatton as next to the rubbish bin there are fridges.

Berthing spaces, turns and bends allowing room for the purposes of turning buses should not be used to put up shops. If a driver makes a mistake he may drive the vehicle over the legs of commuters. It is prohibited to even keep a case or crate of drinks on the floors. The Iron Gate near the entrance to the bank is rusted and it has become infested by betel sellers and beggars. The two sides of said gate are being forcibly occupied by shop owners. The SLTB Act is designed to protect passengers,” the Monitoring Officers claimed.

By

Ruwan Laknath Jayakody

Ceylon today June 16, 2015