The Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, today we debate an important Head of Expenditure, exchanging diverse views. Some Opposition Members presented constructive, commendable proposals; as the Government, we are prepared to give due attention.

¶ 02 Listening since morning, I noted many Opposition Members raised serious issues about SLTB and Railways. Their expectation may be that these services should be better than they are now. The tragedy is that the leaders of those same parties, when in power, took decisions that weakened and degraded these services rather than strengthening them.

¶ 03 Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe assumed office not through a popular mandate but via a constitutional provision. Recently, in an international media interview, certain remarks were made. We must say this: he acted against the interests of our country then too—issuing statements for various foreign agendas. Having failed to secure a proper popular mandate, he operates within privileges and facilities of certain organisations, acting against our country, especially against the Government of the National People’s Power which now enjoys a strong popular mandate and provides correct leadership. They raise baseless allegations locally and internationally. We ask them: at least now, allow the country to move forward; stop obstructing. If any political decency remains, act responsibly.

¶ 04 On today’s focus—orderly public transport, especially SLTB and Railways. Under the Hon. Minister’s guidance, at the Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation, we have begun appointing subcommittees for policy formulation to provide better quality services to the people.

¶ 05 I chair the subcommittee on ensuring professional security for those in unregulated transport sectors—three-wheelers, school transport, bus services, office transport, and self-employed drivers. Together with Opposition MPs Hon. Jagath Vithana, Dinindu Saman, and Devaananda Suraveera, we will address long-neglected areas, to establish professional security, rights, and welfare for these service providers, and safety and convenience for commuters through proper regulation and policy.

¶ 06 On SLTB: Every past Government’s first political interference targeted SLTB. Building a new political culture, the NPP Government has not made political placements or seat-shuffling for political ends. Any changes were only for disciplinary or administrative reasons.

¶ 07 SLTB staff are facing hardships. We must regularise SLTB—professional administration, qualified appointments, proper recruitments, and resolving long-standing procurement issues. Under Circular 6/2006, we will implement due salary revisions for staff and enhance service quality.

¶ 08 On Railways: under the Clean Sri Lanka programme, Colombo Fort and Maradana stations are being upgraded into pleasant, functional, efficient facilities. We will modernise the Railway Department, upgrade the Ratmalana Railway Training Institute to a higher standard, and properly train recruited technical and mechanical staff to deliver a high-quality public transport service.

¶ 09 Currently, SLTB meets only about 14 per cent of passenger demand. Although 7,500 buses are needed, only about 4,500–5,000 operate. We will address these gaps systematically.

¶ 10 Thank you.