Channel more funds to transport sector – Ranawaka
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Daily News 28.11.2022 News Raport
Former Energy Minister and present MP, Patali Champika Ranawaka said that he does not approve the large budget allocation of Rs. 94 billion or road development and said that it should be shifted towards improvement and digitalization of public transport and buses and railway sectors.
Government must reduce the construction of additional highways and utilize part of that money to improve railway road network. Tri Forces support too should be sought in this regard.
He said that today public buses that ply on the road have reduced from 28,000 to 23,000 while private School van too have reduced from 48,000 to 43,000.
He identified lack of spare parts as one of the main issues for this.Today use of public transport is 52% and this should be increased to 70%. a common smart card should be introduced to travel not only in buses and rail but also in three wheelers.”
Stamping the fact that the budget allocation in defense is too high he said he said focus should be drawn to convert the Sri Lankan forces to a Smart Army as the future of terrorism will not come from Bombs but by drones and cyber-attacks.
Ranawaka also said that he reduced the losses of the CEB by Rs. 45 billion and urgent steps should be taken to pay back dues of solar energy suppliers.
“Mein Schiff 5” cruiser with 2,030 passengers to call over Colombo and H’tota Ports The majority of passengers being Europeans and 945 crew members will make its maiden call to Sri Lanka on November 29. For the first time “Mein Schiff 5” will call at Colombo Prot and Hambantota Port on November 29 and 30. It will create history by being the first and largest passenger ship from Europe to call and stay overnight at the HIP and the East container terminal.
Due to the ship being too large it cannot berth at Colombo Port passenger terminal. This is the second back to back passenger cruise to call over to Sri Lanka after Norwegian ship Vikingmas carrying 700 tourists and 450 crew arrived at Colombo Port last week marking herself as the first cruise ship to call Sri Lanka post-COVID.
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