Q: You are the Minister of Transport and Highways and Minister of Mass Media. What is your vision when it comes to Transport and Highways in Sri Lanka?
A: In Sri Lanka for a long time now, public transport has received very little attention. It consists mainly of railways and buses. Before 1977, it was mostly public transport and not private transport. After 1977, with the open economy, more incentives were given for private transport encouraging people to own private vehicles (cars, bikes and trishaws). This was a huge marketing plan and strategy. In this marketing strategy people were made to feel that it was essential to own a private vehicle. If they did not have the money they were encouraged to get a vehicle either through leasing or some other way. When you bought a vehicle, your neighbour saw that and they also felt that they needed a vehicle. After some time almost everyone had a vehicle. This created a very different situation. People started turning up to work in private vehicles. The capacity in the car was for four or five. But only one person uses the vehicle. The person derived happiness and satisfaction from owning a private vehicle. However, they were always mindful of the fact that they had to pay for the lease. Also they had to pay for diesel and petrol and go to the garage. There was a lot of added pressure that came with owning a private vehicle. This resulted in overconsumption causing congestion and pollution. Accidents increased. If you take Japan, UK or Singapore, you find an efficient public transportation system. The trains are running smoothly and the bus service is efficient. A lot of people use public transport to come to work. Private transport is used for long distance trips or during vacation. This is the way they fulfill their needs. Today in Sri Lanka we import private vehicles. This costs us a lot of foreign exchange. The fuel cost is increasing. It has been around 3 years since we stopped importing. The fuel cost is still a problem as the vehicles we have already imported need fuel. We have to opt for fossil fuels. The goal is to encourage the public to use public transport as much as possible.
The other idea is to limit the usage of fossil fuel for public transport. We are trying as much as possible to go for electric vehicles – electric trains, buses and three-wheelers and solar power.
Q: Tell me about your plans to introduce electric buses into the Western Province?
A: Now last week I got Cabinet approval to do just this. In the Western Province I wanted permission to put 200 electric buses on the road under a private/public partnership. So the Cabinet gave approval for a pilot project to test 50 electric buses on the road. These days with the assistance of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), we are looking at a project to convert 300 electric three- wheelers. The idea here is, in the future, all three wheelers will be powered by solar energy. They can be charged at home using solar panels. As I mentioned before we are also looking at trains powered electrically. These are the plans we have in store for Sri Lanka. We have a railway network throughout the country. But the locomotives are quite old. Some at least 50-years-old. We need new engines. Then there are the railway tracks which are dilapidated. This has an effect on train schedules. The good news is that all of this is being rehabilitated, for example, the train route from Anuradhapura to Omanthai. By the end of this year the time it takes to come from Jaffna to Colombo will be reduced by one hour. This will improve the efficiency of the train service. That will be quite an achievement. I also must say that at the end of this month I will be visiting Russia to discuss how to improve our train service.
If you take the CTB bus service, there are around 7,000 buses. From them 800 cannot be used because there are no drivers or conductors. Now the plan is to introduce 500 brand new buses onto rural roads before the Sinhala New Year. This is done under the Indian Loan Scheme. After the Sinhala New Year, we are again introducing another 100 buses. This is also under the Indian Loan Scheme. All together it comes to 600 buses. Then the 800 buses that have no drivers or conductors will be utilized before the Sinhala New Year. That brings it to 1,400. Another 400 buses that are dilapidated will be used bringing it to 1,800. We have such plans.
Q: Recently you accompanied a group of media personalities and foreigners to Seethawakapura in the Seethawakapura train. It has almost been two months. Is the train service profitable? Has it achieved your broader objectives?
A: It is a success. The passengers gain a pleasant experience. We have succeeded in promoting the place. Seethawaka is a very picturesque place that has historical significance. It is a wonderful experience. The weather is similar to that of Nuwara Eliya. One can take a bath in the waterfalls and really enjoy it. You receive the best, that nature can provide. Visiting the Seethawaka Botanical Garden is also a memorable and enjoyable experience. Many local tourists have gone on this train and have enjoyed the day and come back extremely satisfied. Right now there are not many foreign tourists, but that is because the word about the destination has not reached many of them. But for those who live in Colombo, this will be a very novel and relaxing experience. Just get onto the train, sit back and enjoy! In a few years, Seethawaka will definitely become a tourism hot spot.
Q: Do you plan on improving bus services for schoolchildren? Can you tell me a little bit about that?
A: If you take the Sisu Sariya bus service, there is a subsidy of 2 billion rupees. It would be good if this can be increased, but right now it is difficult with the economic crisis we are facing.
Q: I understand that you plan on regulating three-wheelers, school vans and office vehicles? Can you tell me about that?
A: Yes, three-wheelers and school vans need to be regulated. So the National Transport Commission Act has to be amended. The Cabinet has given approval to the Legal Draftsman’s Department to amend the Act. Once it is done, the National Transport Board can regulate it.
Q: You are also the Minister of Mass Media. Is there any message you would like to give out to the media fraternity?
A: My message to the media is to report accurately. Do not distort the facts or misrepresent what has actually happened or been said. Report news in such a way that you do not incite hate. Create a media culture that is truthful, just, honourable and noble. The members of the public form their opinion and views when they read, see or hear the news. A journalist must seek out the truth and report what is true. That is his/her responsibility and duty. Today we are facing a dire economic crisis. That is why the media must be extra careful. A member of the media must not make people believe that this economic crisis has a political solution.
This economic crisis has only an economic solution. The problem cannot be solved even If the President is replaced by another President, or if the Cabinet is replaced by another Cabinet or if the 225 Members of Parliament are replaced. Unfortunately, there are certain misinformed politicians in the country who feel that they can perform the duties of the Central Bank. These actions cannot be performed by politicians. They do not have such expertise. The media must not highlight the opinions of these ignorant politicians which in turn will result in a misinformed society. This in turn will incite hate. And this hate will turn into violence and violation of human rights. The role of a member of the media is to be a healer in society. He/she needs to soothe the public. The media must not provoke society. It is his/her duty to contribute to an enlightened, compassionate and civilized society.
Q: We are facing a dire economic crisis. Is there any message you wish to give out to the people of Sri Lanka as the Minister of Transport and Highways and Minister of Mass Media?
A: There are four solutions. Increase Government revenue, at least by 25% of GDP. Limit or reduce Government expenditure as much as possible, about 20% of GDP. Every year the budget deficit must be at 5% or less. Increase foreign exchange coming into the country by way of increasing exports up to 25 billion rupees.
Limit and reduce imports. There will be income coming via tourism and remittances from expatriates. There are positive signs that we can reduce the budget deficit in a sustainable manner which is good for the country.
Q: Trade Union wave is picking up against the Government. What is the reason?
A: On May 9th we saw violence in the country. A MP was killed. Many houses belonging to the Members of Parliament were burnt down within 12 hours and it was done according to a preconceived plan. We are the only country in history where this happened. It was a violation of human rights. More recently on March 1st, they said that the entire country would be shut down completely; no schools or hospitals would be open; no busses or trains will operate. The entire country will be shut down for one week. But of course this did not happen. Not a single school was closed. Not a single hospital was closed. Buses and trains operated. They thought that they would succeed. I think most people understand that this is an economic crisis and that the country will prosper if we come out of this economic crisis. They know if we do not come out of this economic crisis, the situation will get worse.
Q: Unions are threatening continuous action after March 8. What is the Government strategy to stop it?
A: We will not allow the people’s lives to be put in danger. Our Government will not let this happen. Electricity, water, sanitation services, transportation and ports are now essential services. We will not allow the country to be crippled. We will not allow another wave of ‘terror’ to grip the country. Some think that on March 9 there will be ‘terror’. It is difficult for something like that to happen again in Sri Lanka. Our Government respects human rights and is committed to maintain law and order. There should be freedom to travel and one should be able to live one’s life in happiness with his/her loved ones without fear. Our Government is committed to protecting the rights of all Sri Lankans including the minorities, all religions and all who hold different political ideologies. We expect all factions to respect each other’s rights.
Q: Government is likely to get the IMF bailout package soon. Do you think the JVP- backed unions want to somehow stop it?
A: Sunil Handunnetti, has officially asked and said that foreign remittances must be stopped for a month in order to overthrow the Government. They in the JVP have always been like this – they killed people, burnt buses and destroyed public property. Even now they are attempting to seize power. In a democratic country there are people with many political views. I am a Buddhist and I will not embrace a different religion. The same applies to both Christians and Muslims. In a similar way, when it comes to politics, the person with a political ideology will always think that he/she is right. However, if you don’t respect other people’s rights to hold different political views, that will lead to violence. What I say is that you need to develop your mind, when you are a political leader.
Q: The Cost of Living is very high in the country. It is unbearable for poor segments. Do you think the Government can give some relief?
A: Yes, the poor find it very hard to live. The economic crisis has affected the poor very badly. We have introduced a new tax structure to improve the income of the Government. This will affect the people who are earning above a certain income. We all feel the impact of these taxes. The Government has set aside a large sum of money to help the poor. We will give them food security, so no one will die of hunger.
Q: Your Ministry has ordered that all the passenger transport buses plying on High Level Road to go through the Makumbura Multi-Modal Transport Centre, Kottawa from March 1st. Some private bus owners have opposed this. They say that Makumbura transport centre is in your electorate and you want to favour your area. What is the rationale behind this decision?
A: This multi-modal transport centre has a debt of 2,600 million rupees. It was built by JAICA with Japanese assistance – to have one common centre for all vehicles. The best brains were brought onto the team to prepare the plans, so that a lot of money has been spent on this multi-modal transport centre. The National Transport Commission has said that all buses travelling on this route have to go through the Multi-Modal Transport Centre. If they do not do this, their licenses will be impounded. The law must be adhered to. It is very successful now. This is not the first and only project. We plan to do many such projects in the future. This can be done when the country achieves economic stability. This will be a boon for commuters, the country and the environment.
Source: dailynews
