Atamasthanadhipathi Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Thera recently admonished Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana for the failure of authorities to provide public transport services from the Anuradhapura Railway Station to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi for devotees who come by train, despite repeated requests. The Thera told the Minister that repeated requests to authorities to provide a SLTB bus for devotees to travel to Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi premises from the railway station has fallen on deaf ears.
The Thera pointed out that due to this the passengers coming by train are inconvenienced and have to pay a lot of money for three-wheelers to travel to Sri Maha Bodhi premises.
Showing his disappointment, Ven. Hemarathana Thera questioned the Minister as to why he is holding a ministerial portfolio in the Government if such a simple task cannot be achieved.
The Minister called on the Atamasthanadhipathi in Anuradhapura to seek his blessings.
The Thera further said, “A majority of devotees who come to pay homage to the historic Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, arrive by train. From the station no SLTB bus has been deployed to provide transport for devotees to reach Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi premises. Despite repeated requests authorities have not provided a SLTB bus for a long time, As soon as a train arrives at the station, three-wheelers queue up to take devotees.”
“Even though some devotees do not want to board the three-wheelers, they are forced to do so. After that they take devotees to Sri Maha Bodhi premises using longer routes and charge Rs.750 to Rs.1,000. They do not allow SLTB buses to operate.
These people threaten the Police and the railway employees. There were two attempts in the past to deploy SLTB buses, but on both occasions the employees of those buses were attacked.”
“This causes a great injustice to devotees. Political leaders have also been informed about this. But I see that all these people are afraid of these gangsters. I ask the Minister if the Government cannot provide SLTB transport to those who come to pay homage to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi by train, then why hold a ministerial portfolio?”
Minister, Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana in return promised the Thera that he will somehow provide two buses to establish SLTB transport services from the railway station to the Sri Maha Bodhi premises every Friday, Saturday and Sunday as well as on Poya days.
The Thera also requested the Minister to bring the matter before the President and deploy the Army if necessary if the Police cannot provide security to operate buses.
Former North Central Chief Minister Ranjith Samarakoon, senior officials of the Railway Department, and senior officials of the province were present and the Thera asked everyone including the Minister to tell the Police if there is no result, then tell the President to deploy the Army and prepare a plan for the protection of the devotees as soon as possible.