The Hon. Jagath Vithana

¶ 01 Hon. Chairman, today we debate the Heads of Expenditure of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation. The Minister knows I am practically engaged in this industry.

¶ 02 First, regarding my entitlements, I have requested not to be given the cab vehicle due to me. Please note—I do not need it and have submitted this in writing; it is a pledge to the people.

¶ 03 On transport: This industry has long run informally and unlawfully—no EPF/ETF, no labour protections. In the Western Province alone, over 12,000 work on private buses. When they age—45 or 50—and cannot labour, they are abandoned with no support. I propose that the National Transport Commission and district transport offices train drivers and conductors, teach compliance, and maintain a staffing pool. Operators should draw staff from this pool. That is how to regulate the sector. Now, owners (I am one too) hire and fire at will. End this.

¶ 04 I know, from 1 December, you plan to shift to card payments so cash is not handled. Drivers and conductors will resist because they earn more than the shown revenue. If we fix proper wages and legal frameworks, we can implement card payments and deliver service with courteous staff.

¶ 05 A big issue: NTC and provincial/road passenger transport authorities act inconsistently. I have given written proposals. About 85 percent of NTC route permits run under power of attorney—buses are sold with only a PoA. When something happens or the permit holder dies, the real investor is severely disadvantaged. Create a proper process to regularize ownership changes for a reasonable fee. Cabinet has approved this thrice. Set a uniform fee—say Rs. 100,000—for modifying ownership on long-distance and stage-carriage alike. The Ministry could earn billions.

¶ 06 I also faced an arbitrary Rs. 4 million cut from my decentralized funds against circulars—I showed the DCC the circular entitling MPs to start self-employment projects; I was blocked. Those “savings” in the Treasury could be surpassed by reforms I propose.

¶ 07 Please convene officers of the NTC, Provincial/Road Passenger Transport Authority, and DMT together; we have never been able to get them in one room. I bought a vehicle strictly following rules; yet DMT is, frankly, a den of problems. I have filed a Fundamental Rights case; leave to proceed has been granted. We need a one-stop verification agency to instantly check DMT, DIEC, and Customs (CusDec) documents. Many buyers suffer after purchase; we need trust.

¶ 08 On new vehicle imports: The Treasury filled by imposing 200–500 percent duties. Now we have a glut; more keep arriving. By law, importers must register within 90 days from landing. Do not count from landing—this is impractical when Hambantota Port lacks yard capacity, pushing brand-new cars into a “mud park,” pulled out by backhoes, getting damaged without insurance. I table photos and documents. Fix this.

¶ 09 On the plan to add 300 new buses to SLTB with Rs. 300 million: Earlier, we created the Makumbura park-and-ride concept during Hon. Patali Champika Ranawaka’s time. It failed due to poor feeder road access; people reverted to personal transport. We cannot compel them. Make solutions practical.

¶ 10 The Minister invited me publicly to help; I declined salaries and vehicles—I only want to serve. Yet no request has come. In Kalutara, five depots lack a single jack—no way to check oil, grease or repair; hence breakdowns. We service private cars regularly; SLTB lacks routine maintenance. Involve practitioners. Despite party positions, I will speak the truth. People ask why only my buses run well—we run 365 days, never stop; we even maintain spare buses. This is service, not just profit.

¶ 11 At SLTB, who are DSs now? Conductors or drivers. Will engineers and skilled staff work under them? Change this. The integrated timetable was a good reform but has stalled; revive it. In Kalutara, we can support. Under Clean Sri Lanka, we asked to build decent toilets in bus stands—revenue-generating and job-creating—but nothing moves.

¶ 12 Drivers and conductors lack discipline partly because they lack proper restrooms and bathrooms—even MPs’ drivers lack facilities; vehicles are damaged waiting around. Long-distance MPs to Jaffna, Batticaloa face risks and hardships. Please provide solutions.

¶ 13 Thank you, Hon. Chairman. I table the documents I mentioned for the Minister’s decision.