State Minister Eran Wickremeratne speaking on several allegations against the grant of USD 480 mn from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) of the US Government, pointed out that more than half of the loan amount will be used to develop a high-tech, comfortable Public Transportation system in the country. “I don’t know why some people speak against this loan. Most probably, because of ignorance. Or else, why would someone want to stop our people from getting a good transportation system? Of the USD 480 million we receive from MCC, USD 380 will be allocated for this transportation system. Private and CTB buses won’t be in competition anymore. Passengers will get electronic payment cards. It will have an electronic security surveillance system. Recent research reveals that 8 out of 10 women under go some sort of harassment when using public transportation. We would be able to minimize this issue with this system as well.” Wickremeratne pointed out.
