We have created a favourable atmosphere for development investment in transport sector – Dr Bandula

Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr Bandula Gunawardhana yesterday said that Sri Lanka has changed its investment model for infrastructure development and created a favourable atmosphere for development investment, potentially through Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs), to address transport concerns despite the economic crisis,

“Needless to say that an efficient transport network is a must to enable and facilitate the future development and expansion of the Sri Lankan economy and this NKBA elevated highway to be carried out by China Harbour Engineering Company is an excellent connectivity to the Expressways Network, to connect the Colombo Commercial Business District from Port City to the Airport Expressway, the Parliament, Colombo Outer Circle Expressway, and the Southern Expressway,” the Minister said.

The Forum will foster an official high-level platform for promoting global transport cooperation, and contribute to the promotion of the Global Development Initiative.

The Minister was addressing the Global Sustainable Transport Forum in Beijing yesterday representing Sri Lanka said that Sri Lanka is facing its own challenges, despite its low contribution to global GHG emissions. The country recognizes its responsibility to uphold the Paris Agreement’s emission reduction targets.

The country has submitted its National Development Goals (NDCs) to the UNFCCC, stating its GHG emission reduction commitment of 14.5 percent. To address this, Sri Lanka is working to increase electric vehicles (EVs) in the vehicle mix, convert existing three-wheelers to electrically battery-driven ones, and shift public transport to more efficient electrical buses.

Excerpts from the speech:

“The Global Sustainable Transport Forum 2023 is a forum where speakers discuss the public transport system in Sri Lanka, which heavily relies on buses and trains. These mass transport modes cater to 73 percent of total motorized passengers, with 68 percent travelling by public buses. Sri Lanka Railways only caters to 5 percent of passenger demand, carrying 120 million passengers per year. Road transportation handles nearly 99 percent of freight transport movements, making it the dominant mode in Sri Lanka’s transportation landscape.

“The active road vehicle fleet in Sri Lanka is 6.3 million, with buses representing just one percent. This contributes around 14 percent to GDP and generates about four percent of employment but faces issues such as traffic congestion, road safety, and environmental pollution. The country’s road network consists of 12,496,337 km of A and B class roads and expressways, which is unbalanced and worsens traffic conditions, affecting productivity.

“All fuel for transport is imported, with most vehicles being ICE-powered, contributing to economic retardation. Sri Lanka recently adopted Euro 4 emission standards, but inefficient vehicles lead to higher pollution and GHG emissions.

“Despite investments and attempts to improve public transportation, the status of public transportation remains below expectations, with poor quality, low comfortability, slow speed, frequent delays, reduced efficiency, low availability, and reduced frequency. This has led to more passengers shifting from public transport to private modes, impacting the economy, environment, and society.

“The Ministry of Transport has identified potential areas for improving passenger and goods transportation, but few actions have been initiated or implemented.”

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