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Modern road network essential for development of tourism – Johnston
Chief Government Whip and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando said yesterday (15) that there was a mutual relationship between road infrastructure and tourism development as the latter could not be improved without a proper road network in the country.
Speaking during a meeting held at the Ministry of Highways, the Minister said that due to the absence of roads, or the poor condition of the existing roads and the low level of road safety, in some tourist destinations there might be a decrease in tourist traffic. That meant a developed tourism should be preceded by a developed road infrastructure.
The Minister said that the tourism industry was a main revenue generator for Sri Lanka. Today, the impacts of road infrastructure on tourism and vice versa were more visible than ever before. The road network in all areas should be improved in an expedited manner to cater to the needs of the tourism industry when it picked up soon again after ongoing pandemic situations and relaxing of some health regulations.
Minister Fernando directed Secretary to the Ministry R.W.R. Pemasiri to provide a detailed report on the conditions of roads connecting the airports, the main cities and major tourist attractions such as the famous beaches, historic places, waterfalls, jungles and forests. Tourism influences road infrastructure through intensive construction and modernisation of the road network, increase and modernisation of means of transport, increase in the number of passengers and goods, as well as the introduction of new forms of transport organisation. The development of road infrastructure in tourism affects the mastery of long distances, reducing the duration of travel for tourist purposes.
Minister Fernando said that through a developed road network, it was possible to physically own long distances from markets in the origin-destination relationship, so the destination through a quality road network became easier to access, better organised and more attractive, better positioned, and the most famous.
Among those present at the meeting were Chairman of the Road Development Authority Chaminda Athaluwage and Director General of the RDA Sardha Weerakoon.
New controversy erupts over missing USD 2.5 mn:
Public interest activist Nagananda Kodituwakku has sought citizenship details of Finance Ministry Secretary Harshana Suriyapperuma from the Department of Home Affairs, Australia.
According to a letter dated 28 April, addressed to the relevant department, Solicitor England and Wales Kodituwakku sought the required information in terms of Section 15 of the Freedom of Information Act No 3 of 1982 of Australia. Suriyapperuma is also the Secretary to the Treasury.
The former Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Suriyapperuma (from November 2024 to June 2025) is embroiled in a deepening controversy over the theft of USD 2.5 mn from the Treasury.
The leader of the Vinivida Foundation said that he intended to move court against Suriyapperuma for entering Parliament through the NPP National List in violation of the country’s Constitution (Article 91(1)(d)(xiiii).
Kodituwakku said: “This is clearly an accountability and integrity issue and violation of the Constitution of Sri Lanka and also this act contravenes the law of a member in the Commonwealth.”
USD 2.5 mn paid to a third party was meant to be an instalment of a loan taken from Australia. Suriyapperuma neither responded to an SMS nor answered his hand phone.
Geetha Kumarasinghe (UPFA/Galle District) and Diana Gamage (SJB National List) lost their seats in 2017 and 2024, respectively, over citizenship issues.
Meanwhile, public interest group ‘Free Lawyers’ that exposed the theft of Treasury funds questioned the failure on the part of Dr. Harsha de Silva, Chairman of Committee on Public Finance (CoPF), to pressure President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to temporarily remove Suriyapperuma to facilitate unhindered investigations.
On behalf of ‘Free Lawyers’, Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon yesterday expressed concern over the way the CoPF, under SJBer de Silva’s leadership, handled the issue at hand. Issuing an open letter, Tennakoon, urged the CoPF chief to explain his stand on a spate of vital issues which needed to be addressed without any further delay.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
News
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake handing over a sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhiya in Anuradhapura to Ven Bhikku Pannakara
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake handing over a sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhiya in Anuradhapura to Ven Bhikku Pannakara (Sue Tue Nhan) at the conclusion of the 161 km ‘International Peace Walk’ in Colombo yesterday. The Bo-sapling will be taken to the US by the spiritual leader. Pic by Sujata Jayaratne
Cabinet Spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa yesterday revealed that a USD 625,000 payment made by Sri Lanka’s Department of Posts to the US Postal Service (USPS) had not been received by the intended party.
The declaration was made at the post-Cabinet media briefing.
According to the Minister, an investigation has been initiated into the incident.
The Minister said that an investigation was underway within the Sri Lanka Postal Department regarding the missing funds paid to the US Postal Service.
He added that the US Postal Service has indicated the non-receipt of a payment amounting to USD 625,000, and that investigations were being conducted by both the Postal Department and the CID to determine how the incident occurred.
Treasury chief’s citizenship details sought from Australia
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake handing over a sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhiya in Anuradhapura to Ven Bhikku Pannakara
USD 625,000 meant for US Postal Service goes missing
End of the road for Shammi Silva
Mattala Wildlife Unit to boost revenue, tourism and investor confidence
NPP drowning in sea of scams
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