The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, I welcome amending the NTC Act after 38 years to reflect changing needs, reduce time-wasting, improve convenience, and combat corruption, fraud, wastage and bribery in the transport sector. We know the past deficiencies—in vehicle and spare-part imports, sales, and especially route permits—and the need to ensure driver licences are issued only after proper training, not via bribes, which lead to accidents.

¶ 02 Across road, water and air transport, there has been a culture of 5%, 10%, 15%, even 20% commissions in road works. At the January District Development Committee in Batticaloa, chaired by the Hon. Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra, it was revealed that a Rs. 760 million fraud was detected in the Batticaloa–Trincomalee road rehabilitation tender; investigations and action were promised. Not all officials are corrupt, but the Government has a moral duty to act against those who plunder public funds, in line with the “Clean Sri Lanka” agenda—by enforcing laws to recover stolen money.

¶ 03 Regarding recruitment, I note that the Road Development Authority conducted interviews to appoint 39 engineers—Chief Engineers and Provincial Engineers—after your Government took office. Six months later, appointments are still delayed, reportedly due to litigation possibly by those involved in malpractice. I urge the Minister to proceed immediately, appointing qualified, honest administrators based on interview results. Another called interview too has not yet been held.

¶ 04 On water transport and connectivity in Batticaloa: the district is split into Eravur Pattu (east) and Paddiruppu (west) by a large lagoon, impeding transport. We have requested rehabilitation of Kiran Bridge and Pattiruppu Bridge, and the construction of five additional bridges (100–200 metres each). While not all at once, they can be phased via programmes like JICA. Only one has been built so far; others such as Narippulthottam–Pankudaveli, Ambalanturai–Kurukkalmadam, Sandiveli–Thikilivettai, Muthukandiya–Kurumanveli, and Kinnayadi–Mandur remain. If, during your tenure, these are delivered in stages, it will boost development, transport, tourism and save time.

¶ 05 The RDA handles large budgets yet suffers bribery and fraud. Please identify wrongdoers, recover funds, and amend laws accordingly.

¶ 06 My time is up? One more minute, please.

¶ 07 On the Colombo–Batticaloa rail service, the previous timetable conveniently served commuters transiting from Batticaloa to Ampara and vice versa. It was changed reportedly for elephant movements; the current timings reach Batticaloa when there is no onward road transport available. People ask to restore the old timetable.

¶ 08 Outside today’s subject, I note the island-wide shortage of over 3,000 school principals, while 1,500 have passed the Grade III of the Sri Lanka Principals’ Service exam. Please expedite appointments.

¶ 09 Finally, please prioritize bridges over boat services in our areas to reduce risks. Thank you.