October 18, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake has held discussions with Norway’s Transport Minister Kamzy Gunaratnam on improving road safety, advancing environmentally sustainable transport systems and promoting social reconciliation.
Gunaratnam welcomed Rathnayake and his delegation to Norway’s Ministry of Transport, describing the meeting as an opportunity to exchange views on shared transport challenges and explore approaches that could deliver long-term benefits to both countries.
Among the key issues discussed were the shift towards environmentally friendly transport, measures to prevent unfair labour practices within the industry and the need to strengthen road safety standards.
A major concern raised during the talks was the number of fatalities on Sri Lanka’s roads. According to Gunaratnam’s account of the meeting, Rathnayake noted that more than 2,700 people had died in road accidents in Sri Lanka during the previous year, with young people accounting for a significant proportion of the victims.
Gunaratnam described the figures as deeply distressing, emphasising that road safety must be treated as a matter of public welfare rather than simply an issue of transport administration. She noted that every fatal accident has consequences extending beyond the individual, affecting families, communities and the opportunities available to future generations.
The discussions also touched on the importance of ensuring that transport policies serve people from different ethnic communities, social groups and geographical areas. Both countries have an interest in developing transport networks that improve accessibility and ensure that the benefits of infrastructure development are shared more widely.
Gunaratnam, who was born in Jaffna, also referred to the lasting effects of Sri Lanka’s civil war and expressed support for efforts to promote reconciliation. Her remarks highlighted how transport infrastructure can play a role in bringing communities closer together by improving connectivity and access to essential services.
Wishing the visiting delegation success in its efforts to develop infrastructure capable of addressing environmental pressures and transport needs, she stressed the broader social value of effective transport planning.
“Because that’s exactly what good transport policy is about. Connecting people together,” she said.
Gunaratnam is a member of Norway’s Labour Party and previously served as deputy mayor of Oslo. Her appointment as Norway’s Transport Minister in September 2026 has brought her into a key role in shaping the country’s transport policies.
The meeting reflects the potential for Sri Lanka and Norway to exchange expertise on road safety, sustainable mobility and inclusive infrastructure development, with the wider aim of creating transport systems that are safer, more accessible and better suited to future challenges.
