The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir

¶ 01 Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, I am pleased to speak on today’s Supplementary Estimate debate.

¶ 03 We tend to see Transport allocations only as road-centric. Roads exist for people to use in meeting their needs. The complaint has been that past roads were not suitable for that use; there is some truth to that, which we acknowledge.

¶ 04 In this context, this Government has assumed office and is implementing various programs, while reallocating funds from activities that cannot proceed to other needed works. I welcome this opportunity to comment.

¶ 05 In our areas, people rely heavily on public transport. Even those with private vehicles use them less due to high fuel prices. State officers traveling long distances rely on Sri Lanka Transport Board buses. We must ensure those buses are suitable for officers commuting to work properly dressed, as in Western countries. If we provide better public transport, we can reduce road congestion and fuel expenditure. Improved public transport would also encourage private users to commute by public transport.

¶ 06 The train departing Fort at 3.15 p.m. reaches Batticaloa at 11.00 p.m. Passengers then going to Pottuvil, Ampara, Kalmunai, Kattankudy suffer for lack of late-night connections. Please address this.

¶ 07 For tourism along Nilaveli–Trincomalee–Arugam Bay–Panama, the Government should expand train services to facilitate tourists, which will also benefit our local populace.

¶ 08 I thank the Hon. Minister for commencing rehabilitation of the Mavadippalli bridge damaged by floods. If the Kittangi bridge’s rehabilitation is also commenced during your tenure, it will be excellent. Though we may criticize 76 years of governance, people believe your Government will perform well; you have four more years. Please rehabilitate the Kittangi bridge.

¶ 09 Further, the Kalmunai bus depot—renowned in the East including Ampara and Batticaloa—lacks an office building and looks like a garage. It was cleaned under the Clean Sri Lanka program, but it must be made truly functional. On the Sammanthurai depot, we have raised issues at Pradeshiya and District Development Committee meetings without resolution; local stakeholders have promised land. Please attend to this.

¶ 10 In Nintavur, works on Attappallam Road, 2nd and 3rd Cross Streets, and Meera Nagar Road have been left incomplete. If possible under this funding, please complete them. Thank you!