ARMY-INNOVATED MULTI-FUNCTIONAL SOLAR-POWERED BUS HALT VESTED IN THE PUBLIC

A solar-powered, air conditioned and multi-functional bus halt, crafted by skilled Army personnel in the Sri Lanka Electrical & Mechanical Engineers (SLEME) Regiment to be in line with eco-friendly and comfortable facilities with digital accessories was established this afternoon (16) for the first time in Sri Lanka near Battaramulla ‘Diyatha Uyana ' area.

The introducing ‘m stop ' which houses an ATM, passenger seats, Wi-Fi facilities, air conditioned seating area, CCTV surveillance, two entrances with auto sliding doors, city map navigation system, digital LCD display for commercials, mini shop with grocery and reload facilities, bus time table, departures and arrivals was completely designed and manufactured by the SLEME in consultation with General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army as per guidelines given by Brigadier Indu Samarakoon, Colonel Commandant, SLEME and Director, Directorate of Electrical & Mechanical Engineers at the Army Headquarters.

Hon State Minister of Vehicle Regulation, Bus Transport Services and Train Compartments and Motor Car Industry, Dilum Amunugama, General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army after cutting a ribbon with a few Senior Army Officers opened this novel facility, a new innovative experience for bus commuters in the area.

After the brief opening, it was formally handed over to the National Transport Commission for its management as well as its new kiosk to the shop keeper who would be held responsible for business inside the new ‘m stop '.

The ‘m stop ', public facility structure of 20 x 8 ft in extent is an innovation, encouraged by the SLEME Colonel Commandant after inputs were suggested by the Commander of the Army and it joins history as the first of its model in the country, marking a new entity to the sphere of public transport and its users.

Chief of Staff of the Army, Major General Senerath Bandara, Brigadier Indu Samarakoon, Colonel Commandant, SLEME and Director, Directorate of Electrical & Mechanical Engineers (DEME), Chairman, Urban Development Authority, Chairman, Road Development Authority, Chairman National Transport Commission, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mobitel participated in the opening ceremony.