News
Korea provides USD 4 mn to enhance National Traffic Database and capacity building
The Korea International Cooperation Agency, (KOICA) provided a grant worth four million USD to the Road Development Authority through the Ministry of Highways. The Record of Discussion for the project was signed on Nov 30, at the Ministry of Highways.
Country Director of the KOICA Sri Lanka Office, Kang Youn Hwa, Secretary of the Ministry of Highways RWR Pemasiri and representatives of the Road Development Authority were in attendance at the signing ceremony.
The project objective is to produce and implement a traffic data analysis and management system at the national level for better transport infrastructure development in Sri Lanka. The project will be implemented by the Road Development Authority and is targeted to be completed in 2025.
Based on Korea’s advanced road traffic system and road traffic data management expertise, KOICA will dispatch a number of Korean transportation experts who will be working with the Road Development Authority on various components of this project.
The project outcomes include developing a national-level traffic data management plan, conducting capacity building for the Road Development Authority personnel, establishing traffic database and operation management system and providing equipment for the traffic database management system. This project will be expected to contribute to developing an advanced road transport plan and to the strengthening of road transport capacity in Sri Lanka.
KOICA has supported the transportation sector in Sri Lanka previously under the Technical Assistance for Advanced Traffic Management System in Colombo Metropolitan Region project (2013-2017) with a successful partnership. Continuing the goodwill, the Korean Government has furthered its grant aid by 4 million USD towards the development of the transportation sector of Sri Lanka under the newly signed Record of Discussion for the new project.
At the small ceremony held at the Ministry of Highways to sign the Record of Discussion for the project the Country Director KOICA stated “KOICA is always looking forward to supporting our partner countries to make a sustainable change. The Republic of Korea, having made giant strides in the transportation sector over the years, we are more than happy to share our expertise and knowledge with developing countries with a such potential as Sri Lanka. KOICA has positive experiences previously working with the Road Development Authority with the successfully completed advanced traffic management system project and we look forward to a successful partnership in this project as well.”
The secretary, Ministry of Highways in his short address extended their gratitude towards the government of the Republic of Korea for the continued support given to Sri Lanka. He reminisced with gratitude the support given by KOICA in the aftermath of the Tsunami disaster to build the Mahanama Bridge in Matara. He reassured the fullest cooperation and support by the Government counterparts to ensure that the project is successfully implemented.
KOICA, government agency of the Republic of Korea, contributes to the advancement of international cooperation through various projects that build friendly and collaborative relationships and mutual exchanges between Korea and developing countries and support the economic and social development in developing countries, under the mission of ‘Leave no one behind with People centered Peace and Prosperity.’
News
Law will be enforced against all those who acquire assets illegally- State Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe
State Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship, Chathuranga Abeysinghe, while addressing a public gathering held at the Raffles Hotel in Kotte on Tuesday [April 22] said that the law will be enforced against all those who acquire assets illegally.
He said that , if someone joins a municipal council receiving a modest salary and, within two to three years, builds a luxury house and acquires a vehicle, we will question how such wealth was amassed. If a satisfactory explanation cannot be provided, the law will be enforced and the measures will be taken to confiscate any illegally acquired assets.
The opposition frequently levels accusations against us, but we have not engaged in any wrongdoing. We have not misappropriated public funds, used undue influence to secure school admissions for our children, or interfered with law enforcement. We are dedicated to serving the people by upholding an ethical and responsible political culture.
If you wish to develop your community, I respectfully urge you to elect individuals of integrity who will not misuse public funds.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
It has been reported that prison officials and the police have brought the unrest among the 500 plus inmates of the Matara prison which commenced on Tuesday [22] under control by this morning (23)
It has been reported that the inmates had broken out of their wards after which the officials were compelled to fire in the air and use tear gas to bring the situation under control.
The inmates are being temporarily transferred to the Angunkolapelessa prison in groups to enable authorities to repair the the damage caused to the wards and cells within the premises.
The prison officials who were injured during the conflict are receiving treatment at the Matara hospital. 
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Local government authorities and Municipal Councils are the nursery of corrupt politics. – Prime Minister
The Prime Minister stated that the President has challenged all ministers to transparently and efficiently spend the funds allocated to each ministry through the national budget for the benefit of the people, and that the local governments and municipal councils have historically been the nursery grounds of corrupt politics.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing a public gathering held at the Raffles Hotel in Kotte on Tuesday [April 22].
The Prime Minister further stated:
“All 159 of us in Parliament today did not enter through family or financial influence. We are ordinary citizens just like you and individuals who stand among you. Unlike in the past, our members do not behave disruptively in Parliament. When school children visit, there is no need for the Speaker to request their removal that our parliamentary members conduct themselves with dignity, adherence to the law, and political maturity.
This is the kind of Parliament we have always aspired to have. Today, it is you who has made this transformation possible. For a long time, we have not experienced the advantages of an efficient and properly functioning local government. You now have the opportunity to elect representatives who are truly committed to serving you and improving your local institutions.
The event was attended by Arosh Athapaththu, Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte Municipal Council candidate representing the National People’s Power, along with several other candidates and a large number of local residents.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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