After successful debt restructuring, the US$ 60 million loan provided by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) can restart the stalled road development projects, Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana said.
The meeting of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Transport and Highways was held at the Parliament Complex, chaired by Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana.
The participants at the meeting were informed about the progress of the road development projects under the Transport and Highways Ministry and those expected to be implemented in the future and the affairs of the Ministry were discussed.
“We have taken a policy decision to inform the Regional Development Committee of the concerned area if any road development work is being carried out by the Road Development Authority in any part of the island. The District Coordinating Committee should be informed about the matters related to the district,” the Minister said.
“There may be some problematic situations regarding the projects implemented earlier, but all the officials have been given written instructions to definitely follow these measures in the future. It has also been made mandatory for a responsible officer to represent the institution in the relevant district and regional development committees.
“In particular, the public’s money is allocated for necessary activities through Parliament’s budget. Therefore, to represent the people, the people’s representatives who are elected by the people should be responsible for the people.
“This year, Rs. 13 billion has been allocated by the Treasury for road development, but only Rs. 1 billion has been received.
“US$ 60 million is to be received under Asian Development Bank loan assistance. But the mandatory condition to be met for that is the restructuring of the outstanding foreign debt. The officials have stated that they will not be able to give the loan again until it is declared how the loan will be repaid.
“The officials of the Ministry made a great commitment to get the small amount thus received. Explanations were made to the officials of the Asian Development Bank separately about the existing problems in the country’s road system. Finally, after the intervention of the President, they have agreed to give US$ 60 million.
“It is scheduled to be given after completion of debt restructuring by December. Plans have been made for the projects to be restarted if the loan amount is received.
“Taking into account the suggestions made by all the MPs, however, the condition of the lending institution is that they use this money only for the projects that they have checked and identified as the highest risk routes.
“For that purpose, they have been staying in Sri Lanka for more than two months and have practically observed and selected the routes and the neither the Ministry nor its officials can interfere in their way.”
State Minister of Transport Lasantha Alagiyawanna, State Minister of Highways Siripala Gamlath, State Minister of Rural Roads Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, Committee representatives, Ministers, State Ministers and Opposition members, Secretary of Ministry of Transport and Highways Priyantha Mayadunne and other officials of all the institutions operating under the Ministry attended this committee meeting.
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