By: Isuru Parakrama
October 17, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has stressed the importance of boosting the efficiency of road development projects as a key strategy for advancing rural economic growth.
Speaking at a progress review meeting for the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation, held at the Presidential Secretariat, the President outlined the need to streamline procurement processes to ensure wider community benefits.
Highlighting the risks of contract concentration in the hands of a few, the President advocated for a more inclusive approach, where local contractors and communities could play a greater role.
By doing so, he emphasised, the benefits of development projects would be more equitably distributed, helping to uplift rural areas and ensuring a stronger connection between infrastructure development and local economic prosperity.
A significant part of the meeting focused on the progress of ongoing projects, particularly the construction of the Kadawata-Mirigama segment of the Central Expressway.
The President underscored the importance of completing such high-impact projects, noting that strategic planning in the development of roads, ports, and airports is vital to accelerating national economic growth.
He highlighted how modernising these critical infrastructures could serve as a catalyst for broader economic improvements, benefiting industries and communities alike.
President Dissanayake also addressed concerns regarding environmental and community impacts, urging officials to adopt measures that mitigate any negative consequences of the road development projects.
He called for a balanced approach, ensuring that environmental sustainability, financial prudence, and the well-being of local communities are prioritised in the execution of these initiatives.
Timely and efficient project implementation, he noted, is crucial to avoiding delays and cost overruns, which could hinder the country’s development targets.
Additionally, the President emphasised the need to enhance safety protocols in railway development projects, particularly concerning the welfare of railway employees and the travelling public.
He urged ministry officials to ensure that safety measures remain a top priority in all aspects of infrastructure development.
Among those present at the meeting were Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, and K.D.S. Ruwanchandra, Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation, along with senior officials from the ministry’s affiliated institutions.
Their discussions also touched on future strategies for enhancing transport infrastructure, in line with the government’s broader objectives of economic transformation and sustainable growth.
