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By Hiranthi Fernando and Dhananjani Silva

The bus service on Lady McCallum’s Drive, Kandy, which was operated by the Kandy South depot has been suspended for the past two years. The reason given is that it is not economical. This is a very lame excuse. Had the bus run to the scheduled times, there were enough commuters. What happened was that the bus crew operated to suit their convenience.

It is a very pathetic sight to see schoolchildren and office workers walk to the main Katugastota – Kandy Road, a distance of two to five kilometres to get to their schools and workplaces in time.

To add to our woes, the three wheeler drivers have increased their fare by Rs. 10 after the recent fuel price hikes. It is the service to the commuters that should be given priority and not the convenience to the CTB employees.

- Donald Perera
The People’s Forum contacted the Assistant Operations Manager, CTB South Depot, and we were informed that private bus owners are reluctant to run on this route, as it is not economical. However, we were told that the CTB has deployed the 2954 bus on this road during peak hours, thereby covering office and school hours.

The official also said that although there were not enough buses for the CTB to cover many of the roads in the area earlier, there is an increase in the number of buses that the CTB received from the government and with that, there will be an improvement in the bus service in the future.

Also you are requested to forward your complaint to the Depot Manager.

Promotion delayed

In 1999, I sat for the Limited Competitive Examination for recruitment to Grade 11 of the Sri Lanka Principals’ Service 94/96 (1999) and got 203 marks. Furthermore, I faced the interview held at the Education Services Committee, Isurupaya on 2001.12 26.

Now I understand that a few teachers who sat for the above examination were given promotions to the Sri Lanka Principals’ Service class 2 grade 1 with effect from 2002.01.01. But up to now I have not been considered for the above promotion.

Please help me find out my position in this regard. I am sure the marks I received were well over the cut off marks at that time.

- T. Arunthavarajah
People’s Forum contacted the Principal, Services Branch of the Education Department regarding your matter. The Assistant Secretary of the branch said that since the Principal Services Branch is linked to the Pubic Services Commission (PSC), she can make inquiries from the PSC and let you know the present position provided that you forward your request to her.

Change of syllabus
I am going to take English literature for the 2007 December O/Level examination. Please let me know whether there is a change in the prescribed books that are in use now, and what the books are, if there is a change for 2007.

Our schools are not aware of the change yet. Our teachers are in a quandary.

- Amana Aman
The Director, Education Department, National Institute of Education (NIE) informed the People’s Forum that there is no change in the December 2007 literature syllabus, and that if there is a change, a circular would be issued.