The Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi

¶ 01 This Supplementary Estimate is being brought today. The Opposition will try to interpret it to their advantage, but the correct point is this: we are reallocating funds to more appropriate projects and implementing them.

¶ 02 Hon. Deputy Speaker, I recall a 2023 media report, also reflected in an audit report, stating that when buses were procured for the SLTB that year, an excess of Rs. 3 billion was paid. A bus costs Rs. 6 million; for 500 buses, that is Rs. 3 billion. That is how public funds were handled under then President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the then Transport Minister, leading to the deterioration of public services and facilities. In contrast, as a government, we are strengthening the economy and, through proper financial management, ending past misappropriations to improve public services.

¶ 03 Hon. Deputy Speaker, you and the House know that under the Ministry, particularly the Department of Railways, under the “Dream Destination” programme, 32 railway stations have been upgraded to provide comfort and facilities to passengers. Also, this year, 27 bridges including the one on the Kilinochchi–Mullaitivu road are being newly developed or rebuilt.

¶ 04 As for the SLTB, it had been pushed into a pathetic state. If you visit a bus depot today, you will see there is no proper canteen for staff, not even toilets—such was the neglect. Past governments used SLTB for their political rallies, taking employees and buses for free. But under the National People’s Power government, now completing a year, we have not used a single SLTB bus for political work or given free fuel for such purposes. As the Transport Ministry, we are improving staff facilities, carpeting and upgrading 25 depots, enhancing the industry and strengthening public transport. Under this programme, the Pettah bus terminal is also being renovated.

¶ 05 Hon. Deputy Speaker

¶ 06 Hon. Member, your time is up.