The Hon. Dewananda Suraweera

¶ 01 Eight minutes is sufficient, Madam Deputy Chairperson. Today we debate the Supplementary Estimate of Rs. 36,609 million for the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation. Observing this debate, it seems the Opposition is groping in the dark—no understanding of the Supplementary Estimate, though they once governed.

¶ 02 Why is this Supplementary Estimate presented? Because the Ministry has turned the entire country into a worksite: bridges, culverts, highways, expressways, and rural roads are being built. For 2025 we allocated Rs. 435,100 million for these works. When you plan and work within the year, some allocations may remain unspent—not by intention, but because many donor-funded projects halted in 2022 due to the economic collapse. We have not borrowed a single rupee for highways in 2025. Donors fund specific projects, but disbursements stopped when the country defaulted. Now, this Supplementary Estimate reallocates funds to meet domestic debt service obligations and to allow the Ministry to continue working lawfully. We are a team that delivers.

¶ 03 The Opposition also fears the Government and the Director-General of CIABOC, Mr. Ranga Dissanayake. Their fearmongering aside, it is they who destroyed transport and the country; we are rebuilding it.

¶ 04 In transport, insufficient mass transit is a core problem. Some depots have become fiefdoms; mafias run routes; the public suffers. Even within Colombo District—Boralu­ thenna–Hanwella, Kurunduwatta–Piliyandala, Mawathagama–Pettah, Sevanagala–Hanwella, Route 112 Maharagama–Kotahena, Rukmale–Pettah, Kottawa–Malabe—services are lacking. Our government’s vision is a stable economy, a healthy people, and environmentally sustainable development, including sustainable transport. We will deliver that.

¶ 05 Finally, to a “prince” eyeing 2029: we never opposed highways or development; we opposed the Rajapaksas’ commissions—“Mr. Ten Percent” taking 10 percent off every project. They brutalized the police and military for crimes and created a criminal state. The people have delivered their verdict and will do so again. Thank you.