Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said the government’s commitment to developing transport services that prioritize the needs of the people, speaking in Parliament on October 8 during the debate on the Ministry of Transport’s supplementary estimates for the 2026 budget.
“The Supplementary Estimates Bill demonstrates transparency and financial control within a ministry,” the Prime Minister said. “When projects face obstacles at the end of the year, obtaining provisions through this Bill ensures work continues efficiently.”
She said that the Ministry of Transport had previously faced challenges of fraud and corruption but stressed that significant progress has been made to address these issues. “Two of the most important functions of the Ministry are public transport and highways. These essential services are gradually being developed into institutions that serve the people,” she added.
Dr. Amarasuriya also highlighted lessons from the economic crisis, attributing it to weak financial management and poorly planned projects. “Many projects stalled due to weak planning or decisions driven by personal interests or corruption. Allocating additional funds is necessary to complete these projects with minimal damage to the country and its people,” she said.
The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of safe, efficient, and accessible public transport, particularly for children, women, the elderly, and the disabled. She also highlighted the link between school infrastructure and transport, noting efforts to improve roads, public transport access, and safety as part of broader development initiatives.
“This supplementary funding is an opportunity to make the Ministry of Transport and Highways more people-oriented and efficient,” she said, praising the steps already taken to improve services for all citizens.
