Ministry Secy. highlights Colombo Metropolitan transport strategy

The Council for Business with Britain (CBB) affiliated to the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, organised a Luncheon meeting recently. The guest speaker was Secretary to the Ministry of Transport Dhammika Perera with a presentation on ‘Colombo Metropolitan Transport Strategy’.

Delivering the keynote speech Perera said, “I am delighted to share with all of you today, the plans and the vision of the Government of Sri Lanka for a sustainable transportation system for Colombo’s metropolitan region. When the President, in January of 2011, appointed me as the Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, he together with the Minister of Transport gave me one clear mandate – the development of a transportation master plan for the next 30 years that will progressively see the transportation system evolve on par with an advancing GDP, and per capita income. Currently the transport sector share of GDP is about 11.5%.”

He added that the Ministry of Transport was founded to develop a land transport system at minimum operational cost, and to re-build an efficient and cost effective transportation system which will enhance economic competitiveness whilst also delivering an improved quality of life to the people.

Perera said, “Driven by the vision of the Mahinda Chinthana, we look to utilise modern technology and to continuously improve human resources and infrastructure facilities, so as to enhance road, and rail transport systems in the country, assisting accelerated economic development. Whilst it took nearly 50 years for Sri Lanka’s per capita income to reach US$ 1,000 mark, the next US$ 1,000 was achieved in a short span of five years in 2009 under the able direction of President Mahinda Rajapakse. The Government has estimated that per capita income would be doubled to US$ 4,000 by 2016.”

He went on to state that with the rapid increase in per capita income products and services which were previously classified as “luxury” will no longer be treated that way.

“For example when mobile phones and services first entered Sri Lanka, it was a luxury and was considered expensive. However partly because of lower prices and higher demand as well as increasing disposable income, mobile phones are now treated as a basic requirement. This context can, likewise, be applied to the transportation sector. Air conditioned buses and trains which, may be classified as luxury today will be a commonly used mode of transport in the next few years as people’s income levels increase,” said Perera, adding, “The Government aims to fast track infrastructure investment over the next decade to make up for the dearth of investment during the last three decades. The Transportation Master Plan for Colombo includes strategic route planning, road and traffic planning, pedestrian path planning, road safety and integrated multi modal transportation with real time information system. Our obligation is to ensure that all those who use our transport services are able to do so safely and efficiently.”

The event was attended by CBB members and business leaders from renowned business conglomerates.

The CBB has a diverse membership of around 150 companies, making it one of Colombo’s most prestigious networking business associations. To this end, the Council organises a series of events throughout the year for the benefit of its members, ranging from luncheon meetings with guests speakers on topical interest to sporting and social activities.