The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda

¶ 01 Thank you very much for granting me this opportunity, Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees. Today, we are debating the National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill, a very important subject. Members from both sides have presented constructive points to this House.

¶ 02 A previous speaker recalled the war period. We remember how we travelled by bus then, fearful of bomb blasts at any time. Though that era ended, there is again a certain fear of death among our people due to increasing road accidents. In recent days there have been multiple road accidents including bus accidents, claiming many lives. We on both sides are saddened by this. We discuss this Bill in that social context. I wish to put forward several proposals through this Bill.

¶ 03 In particular, in the Southern Province I represent, the Southern Provincial Road Passenger Transport Authority and the Sri Lanka Transport Board have for years operated under an integrated timetable system, which has been very successful. If we can operationalize an integrated route plan as a national policy, I believe it will help address current problems. Although previous governments discussed integrated timetables, they could not institutionalize them. I believe this government will succeed, paving the way for a positive journey.

¶ 04 We also speak of GPS technology and bringing it under the National Transport Commission. In the Southern Province, identified routes are already monitored well with CCTV systems, enabling end-to-end oversight of bus departures, intermediate operations, and arrivals. If we can take this nationally, and incorporate new technology, it would be valuable.

¶ 05 We must also address low-revenue routes. People in those areas face severe hardship; sometimes neither SLTB nor private buses operate due to income issues. I urge the government to provide incentives to both SLTB and private sector buses to sustain services, including morning and night operations, as people currently suffer greatly from lack of services.

¶ 06 There is also a good proposal to introduce card-based fare payments. I request the Hon. Minister to pilot this in the Southern Province, which already has a relatively organized transport system.

¶ 07 We are enforcing BA 5H on buses and amending the National Transport Commission Act. We must also consider the problems of bus owners, school van operators, and three-wheeler owners. Rising spare parts prices and frequent short-term fuel price fluctuations seriously affect them. If the government can consider relief, it would be welcome.

¶ 08 Yesterday I was reminded of remarks by the Minister of Justice at a local authority function which seemed to stoke anger and hatred. He behaves like a jokester in this House. We question whether he is trying to project leadership within the government by intervening in everything, necessary or not. I say to the Minister: while you speak of cases and while allegations are levelled at this government, it would be better to respond to those allegations.

¶ 09 Yesterday there were questions about agreements signed with India; the government could not answer. Likewise, Hon. D. V. Chanaka questioned the Power Minister, and the government could not answer. The monkey sterilization program is failing; the government has no proper answer. Likewise, on the container issue, no answers. If the government can respond to allegations instead of only accusing the Opposition, that would be better.

¶ 10 If the Minister of Justice can resolve problems in the justice system—especially expediting land cases and other cases so that the innocent are not trapped across generations—he would be a good Justice Minister who protects the system, not a minister who only talks.

¶ 11 As an Opposition MP, I wish success to the tasks envisaged by this National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill and urge that our Opposition proposals be incorporated. Thank you, Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees.