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Electronic ticketing system for public transport to be introduced by year’s end- Secretary to the Ministry of Transport and Highways
Secretary to the Ministry of Transport and Highways Eng. Ranjith Ganganath Rubasinghe announced that an electronic ticketing system for public transport services, including trains, will be introduced by the end of this year.
Addressing the press briefing titled “Two Years of Progress and Advancement” held at the Presidential Media Centre today (08),
Addressing the media personnel, Eng. Rubasinghe further elaborated;
Despite the economic crisis the country has faced, the government has allocated Rs.90 billion over the past two years solely for road development projects initiated before 2022. Of this amount, Rs.300 billion has been spent on contractors, and Rs.90 billion has been used for debt payments.
It is important to note that the success of the government’s debt restructuring program has been particularly satisfactory for the Ministry of Highways. This success will enable the restart of many projects that were halted during the last crisis. Discussions have already begun for the early commencement of Phase 1 of the Central Expressway. Additionally, Phases 2 and 3 of the Central Expressway and the Ruwanpura Expressway project are expected to begin soon, with bilateral discussions underway regarding the completion of the elevated highways project in Athurugiriya, through financial investments. Public-private partnership investments are anticipated for these projects.
Additionally, an electronic ticketing system for public transport services, including trains, is planned to be introduced before the end of this year. The entire highway toll payment system will also be made electronic within a few months.
Director General of the Road Development Authority (RDA), S.P.M. Suriya Bandara;
The construction of the second phase of the flyover over the railway line connecting Kompannavidiya, Justice Akbar Mawatha, and Uttarananda Mawatha will be completed and handed over to the public next week. The Kohuwala flyover is scheduled to be opened to the public next week as well.
Moreover, thousands of projects are being implemented across the country under the Road Development Authority. Among these, 320 km of rural roads have been completed under the 1,000 km of rural roads project, which began last February, with the remaining roads set to be completed in August.
General Manager (Acting), Railways, Sanjaya Mudalige;
We have provided the opportunity for people to lease the land owned by the Department of Railways, which totals around 12,000 acres. Residents currently occupying these lands, whether with or without permission, can now register to obtain a tax deed. Legal action will be taken against those who do not register, and they will be removed from the premises.
Additionally, the modernization of the Mahawa-Omanthai railway line will be completed in August, and the freight train service from Beliatta to Colombo will commence on the 15. This service will be available to farmers, businessmen, and others transporting goods to Colombo.
Plans are also underway to develop railway stations along the coastal line as multipurpose projects in collaboration with the private sector. Six railway stations, including Kollupitiya and Bambalapitiya, are currently being developed accordingly.
To meet the demand for train engines, the Government of India has agreed to donate 20 train engines, with the first batch expected to arrive within two months.
National Transport Commission Chairman, Shashi Welgama;
Under the National Transport Commission Act, we can currently regulate only buses. However, the Act has been amended to include the regulation of three-wheelers, school and office transport services, taxis, and more. Additionally, through the ‘Sisu Sariya’ program, we provide transport facilities for around 110,000 children across about 5,000 schools. This initiative also extends transportation services to government and private institutions, helping to reduce urban traffic congestion, fuel consumption, and environmental pollution.
Furthermore, by offering transportation facilities to people in remote rural areas through the ‘Gami Sariya’ program, we aim to improve their standard of living. We are also preparing and implementing schedules for inter-provincial buses. The public can contact the customer care unit at 0712555555 and 1955 for assistance. This service allows passengers to file complaints and obtain information related to passenger transportation services.
Chairman of Ceylon Transport Board, Lalith de Alwis;
Every day, our buses serve around 1.2 million passengers through 5,500 trips, playing a crucial role in public transportation. With a strategic focus on digitization, we aim to completely eliminate revenue losses.
Last year, we successfully refurbished 400 buses, with plans to refurbish an additional 400 this year. The Cabinet’s approval to import 1,000 new buses has prompted immediate procurement efforts to acquire 400 buses without delay.
In addition to regular services, we offer subsidized bus fares for school and technical college students, operating 811 buses for school routes and 890 for other services daily.
Our upcoming initiatives include the introduction of electric buses to enhance innovation in public transport, leveraging modern technology to streamline fleet operations and improve passenger information services. These efforts are part of our comprehensive strategy to address climate change.
Passengers already benefit from online seat reservations and access to long-distance service timetables via the internet. We are planning to roll out further digital services in the near future.
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Action beyond dialogue is essential in addressing Green Financing and climate change. – Prime Minister
There have been numerous discussions and dialogues successfully conducted across various sectors, but it is now crucial to move beyond conversation and focus on strengthening the implementation. Such collaborative effort like GGGI initiates in leading Sri Lanka towards a resilient and sustainable finance.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the Sri Lanka climate finance awareness session on advancing sustainable finance and carbon markets for climate action held today (30) at hotel Marriott Bonvoy in Colombo City Center.
The awareness session was organized by the Prime Minister’s Office with the collaboration of the ministry of Environment and Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) to create awareness of Green finance strategies leading to new initiatives for sustainable Sri Lanka.
Delivering the keynote address, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that this session is intended to support the line ministries in better understanding how these financing mechanisms work and how they could be leveraged to implement the sustainable development priorities.
Addressing the event, the Prime Minister further stated:
“Sri Lanka has developed and updated numerous environmental frameworks to address the growing challenge of climate change, that has become the current development challenge that continues to affect lives, livelihoods, and our overall trajectory as a nation.
In Sri Lanka, key sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, energy, tourism, and water are increasingly exposed to climate-related disruptions, threatening both livelihoods and macroeconomic stability. To prevent this trajectory, we must leverage a full spectrum of international climate finance instruments.
Sri Lanka has a solid policy foundation, political will, and the institutional capacity to lead on climate action. What we now need is the financial architecture to match this ambition. Hence, today’s session represents a step toward building shared awareness and technical capacity across the public sector”.
The Prime Minister emphasized that while numerous discussions and dialogues have been successfully conducted across various sectors, it is now crucial to move beyond conversation and focus on concrete implementation highlighting that meaningful results can only be achieved when ideas and plans are translated into action, and urged all stakeholders and officers to prioritize execution to bring about the positive changes the country needs.
The event was attended by secretary to the Prime Minister, G. P. Saputhanthri, representatives from the central bank, representatives of Ministries and GGGI institute.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that there is a contemporary need to develop the Pirivena and Bhikkhu education and that the government is seeking the revered guidance of Maha Sangha in that cause.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the 125th anniversary celebrations of the Amarapura Ariyavansa Saddhamma Yukthika Nikaya on Tuesday (29) at the Sri Subodhi Rajarama Mulasthana Maha Vihara in Bombuwala, Kalutara.
During the event, the Prime Minister honored sixty-three venerable members of the Maha Sangha who had rendered their noble service to the Sasana and also conferred awards upon several distinguished lay benefactors in recognition of their contributions.
Delivering the keynote speech, the Prime Minister stated:
“There has always been a strong bond between Buddhism and society throughout history. Culture and social relations have been built alongside the Buddhist philosophy. The society we seek to establish as a nation must embody the Buddhist values of fairness, equality, and compassion. These virtues, as taught in the Buddhist philosophy, are ever relevant and alive.
Piriven and Bhikkhu education are currently facing numerous challenges, and considerable efforts are needed to address them. Thereby a substantial and concerted intervention is required.
A pertinent question arises as whether our Pirivena institutions are adequately preparing for the evolving needs of the world? There was once a belief in Europe that, with scientific advancement, religion would become redundant. Today, this view has been discredited. Along with material progress, spiritual development remains indispensable.
The knowledge, attitudes, and skills of our Bhikkhus must be enhanced to meet the emerging global challenges. A profound discussion on necessary reforms in Piriven and Bhikkhu education is therefore imperative.
Opportunities for Bhikkhus to study subjects such as mathematics, science, and modern languages are currently limited. Without exposure to contemporary disciplines, it is questionable whether one can successfully confront present-day challenges”.
The event, held under the patronage of the Venerable Egodamulle Amaramoli Mahanayake Thera, the Chief incumbent of the Amarapura Ariyavansa Saddhamma Yukthika Nikaya, was attended by members of the Maha Sangha, Minister of Mass Media and Health Mr. Nalinda Jayatissa, several Members of Parliament, and numerous lay devotees.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Under the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme, plans are underway to launch a 1,000-acre forest plantation project in collaboration with the private sector. This large-scale initiative is designed to operate under the Public-Private-People Partnership (4P) concept and a preliminary discussion on the project was held today (30) at the Presidential Secretariat.
The discussion focused on resolving technical aspects associated with the project and addressing the fundamental issues necessary for the land release.
The programme aims to implement several effective environmental projects in the coming year with the active participation of the private sector. These efforts are intended to safeguard the country’s biodiversity, forest cover and natural ecosystems, while also reinforcing the shared responsibility of the public, government and private sector in environmental conservation.
The discussion was chaired by Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russell Aponsu and Additional Secretary of the Clean Sri Lanka Programme S.P.C. Sugeeshwara, with the participation of senior officials from the Ministries of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation and Environment
Action beyond dialogue is essential in addressing Green Financing and climate change. – Prime Minister
Pirivena and Bhikkhu education must be developed – PM
1,000-acre forest plantation project to be launched under “Clean Sri Lanka” programme
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