Anuradhapura district transport and road plan for 2024 unveiled

A special discussion on the Anuradhapura District Transport and Road Plan for 2024 was held at the Anuradhapura District Secretariat Auditorium chaired by Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr.Bandula Gunawardhana.

In the programme, the Road Development Authority explained the current condition of the roads in the area and the future development plans, and explained the development projects and future development plans implemented by the Railway Department.

The development plans proposed to be implemented in 2024 by many institutions operating under the Ministry including the Ceylon Transport Board, the Department of Motor Transport Commissioner were discussed, and it was emphasized that it is more practical to bring each development project to the attention of the Regional Development Committee and implement it with its approval.

North Central Province Governor Mahipala Herath said that this is the first time in his political career of more than forty years that a minister has gone to remote areas to get opinions on future development plans before the budget, and it is a very practical and timely programme that should be appreciated. Governor Mahipala Herath appreciated the participation of all the officials of the Ministry, going to all the areas in the country to inform about the plans for the coming year, and getting opinions even at the primary level to reduce the inconvenience to the people.

Minister Bandula Gunawardhana speaking at the discussion said,”During the current economic and fiscal crisis, we all have the challenge of limiting spending.

In its 75-year history, last year was the only year when the economy recorded a value of negative 8. All sectors of the economy have contracted. Roads and other development activities have stalled. Everyone in the country is facing this problem.

Due to this, no fruitful development projects were done in the country in the last three years after the Covid pandemic. The government is not able to bear the expenses as it was done before.

After paying public employee salaries and pensions from public tax revenue, money has been spent on all other activities including debt interest payments through borrowing. Until the existing debt is restructured, it is not possible to get another loan from any international organization.

For these reasons, no matter how dangerous the roads, bridges and other constructions are, no matter how half-completed the projects are, no loans are received from organizations such as the Asian Development Bank, which provided foreign aid for their completion.

Based on all these points, we will be able to implement the plans that we present only after the restructuring of the foreign debt in the coming period. As the minister in charge of finance, the President has met the leaders of all countries including China, India, and Japan and made requests in this regard. However, in the coming years, no matter who becomes the leader of the state, holds the position of minister or holds office, there is no possibility of avoiding debt payment. Everyone should work together to face this reality and do the necessary financial management.

Through the decentralized funds allocated from the budget for the coming year and the success of the debt restructuring, there is the possibility of resuming the proposals implemented on foreign aid which are currently at a standstill. More than six hundred proposals are stalled.

Earlier in history, money was printed in times of scarcity. But according to the current rules and regulations, the central bank cannot print money in any way. The first installment has been given by the International Monetary Fund, but the second installment has not yet been given. There is a strong belief that it will be received soon. Depending on the budget allocations, the financial allocations under the provincial councils, the money allocated to the ministries and the situation arising from the debt restructuring, we will be able to resume these development activities.”

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