Transportation to be on par with GDP growth

The development of a transportation master plan for the next 30 years will progressively see the transportation system evolve on par with an advancing GDP, and per capita income said Secretary to the Ministry of

Transport Dhammika Perera.Delivering the keynote speech at a luncheon meeting organised by The Council for Business with Britain (CBB) affiliated to the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Perera said that he was delighted to share the plans and the vision of the Government for a sustainable transportation system for Colombo's metropolitan region.

The Ministry of Transport was founded to develop a land transport system at minimum operational cost, and to re-build an efficient and cost effective transportation system which will enhance our economic competitiveness whilst also delivering an improved quality of life to the people.

He said :Driven by the vision of the Mahinda Chinthana, we look to utilise modern technology and to continuously improve human resources and infrastructure facilities, so as to enhance road, and rail transport systems in the country, assisting accelerated economic development.

Whilst it took nearly 50 years for Sri Lanka's per capita income to reach $ 1,000 mark, the next $ 1,000 was achieved in a short span of five years in 2009 under the direction of President, Mahinda Rajapaksa. The Government has estimated that per capita income would be doubled to $ 4,000 by 2016.

With the rapid increase in per capita income products and services which were previously classified as "luxury" will no longer be treated that way.

For example when mobile phones and services first entered Sri Lanka, it was a luxury and was considered expensive. However partly because of lower prices and higher demand as well as increasing disposable income, mobile phones are now treated as a basic requirement.This context can, likewise, be applied to the transportation sector.

Air conditioned buses and trains which, may be classified as luxury today will be a commonly used mode of transport in the next few years as people's income levels increase.

The government aims to fast track infrastructure investment over the next decade to make up for the dearth of investment during the last three decades.

The Transportation Master Plan for Colombo includes strategic route planning, road and traffic planning, pedestrian path planning, road safety and integrated multi modal transportation with real time information system.

Our obligation is to ensure that all those who use our transport services are able to do so safely and efficiently."

The event was well attended by CBB members and business leaders from renowned business conglomerates in Sri Lanka.