Newly-elected MP takes boat ride to Parliament

• Former Kotte Mayor Vithanage says boat ride best to avoid vehicular traffic
• Says location of Parliament in centre of lake makes boat transportation feasible

Newly-elected Colombo District MP Madhura Vithanage chose a novel mode of transport to get to Parliament for its inaugural session yesterday.

Colombo District MP Madhura Vithanage on taking a boat ride to attend the ceremonial sitting of Parliament yesterday

Instead of the SUVs and other luxury vehicles that even newly-elected MPs arrived in for the first day’s sitting, Vithanage took a boat ride to the House via the Diyawanna Oya. Vithanage, who was the Mayor of the Sri Jayewardenepura- Kotte Municipal Council before being elected to Parliament, told reporters upon his arrival that since the Parliament is situated in the middle of a lake, it was best to use a boat for transportation.

He explained that a boating service was the ideal mode of transport to get to Parliament, as it helps avoid vehicular traffic on the road.

“The President has introduced the boat service for transportation to minimise vehicle congestions on the roads, but people are yet to adapt to it. However, we plan to promote the use of boats to travel to Parliament in the future,” Vithanage said.