PARLIAMENT

A new National Charter on Vehicle Regulation will be implemented soon, Minister of Transport Hon. Gamini Lokuge stated at the Consultative Committee meeting held recently. A Special Consultative Committee has also been appointed for this purpose.

The Minister said that the new National Charter will be formulated in such a way that the Central Government and the Provincial Councils can jointly implement the activities related to the regulation of vehicles. The new program will be implemented to regulate all existing transport services in the country.

State Minister of Transport Hon. Dilum Amunugama said in the Committee that the primary objective of the new National Charter on Vehicle Regulation is to ascertain whether the vehicles are in good quality and suitable for driving on the roads. He further said that the background study of this Charter on Vehicle Regulation has been completed by now.

MP Hon. Diana Gamage, suggested in the Committee that it would be appropriate to issue an identity card for three-wheeler drivers island wide. The State Minister said that it has also been included in the new National Charter.

Minister Hon. Gamini Lokuge said that the government is also implementing a new program to improve the rural bus service and 10 selected depot offices with less facilities will be modernized expeditiously.

State Minister Hon. Dilum Amunugama stated that a program will be implemented to hand over unused lands belonging to the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) to investors. He also requested the MPs to submit relevant proposals in this regard.

Minister Hon. Gamini Lokuge also informed the Committee that the Colombo Fort Railway Station will be modernized soon, under the Railway Stations Development Program.

The Minister and State Minister noted in the Committee that political appointments in the SLTB have been completely stopped.

Members of Parliament and government officials were present at this meeting.