The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member. Introducing new provisions into the National Transport Commission Act, No. 37 of 1991, is a good move. It will empower the Commission to resolve many issues it faces.

¶ 02 Until now, the Commission largely oversaw road passenger transport. In addition to general passenger services, this Bill includes school transport services, three-wheeler services, and office transport services. It also vests the Minister with powers to authorize other transport modes, including air and water transport.

¶ 03 Although section 44 of the 1991 Act already empowered the Minister to make regulations, successive Ministers failed to promulgate any regulations from 1991 to date. That is a regrettable record. With the additional powers now proposed for the Minister and the National Transport Commission, Sri Lanka’s transport sector can be steered to a better state.

¶ 04 For our economy to recover from its severe downturn, we need connectivity across all regions, and transport is vital. In the Northern Province, there are two airports. Palaly has been upgraded to the Jaffna International Airport; it requires further facilities. The Vavuniya airport, once used for domestic services, is currently idle. I request the Hon. Minister to develop Vavuniya for domestic aviation to facilitate connectivity.

¶ 05 A ferry service has begun between Kankesanthurai and India. Historically, a Mannar–India ferry operated for many years. I request the Government to restart the Mannar–India service, especially for cargo, by developing the Mannar port accordingly.

¶ 06 According to statistics, in 2023 alone more than 2,600 people died in road accidents, and over 35,000 were injured and admitted to public hospitals. About 99% are road-traffic related. The most affected are youths aged 18–30, many of whom are rendered unable to work, which increases the burden on our health budget. Reducing accidents and organizing transport better will not only improve transport but also free significant health expenditure for other needs.

¶ 07 In Vanni, many schoolchildren are badly affected by inadequate transport. Students coming to the A9 are often refused by both private and SLTB buses. I urge the Hon. Minister to address this urgently.

¶ 08 We must also ensure that vehicles used for public transport—whether SLTB buses, private buses, or departmental vehicles—are roadworthy. Annual inspections should verify mechanical condition and emissions, with certification accordingly. Please ensure that only vehicles meeting proper standards are used for public transport. Thank you.