Vehicle exportation as a solution for sustainable traffic balance: Sagala

2 November 2023 07:06 am - 35 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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To ensure a sustainable balance in the number of vehicles on the road, there's a need to consider exporting a certain quantity of vehicles from the country, the Senior Adviser on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff to President Sagala Ratnayaka said.

Addressing a speech at the "Safe Roads - Safe Children" International Road Safety Conference-2023, which took place in Colombo he said it is essential to explore the adoption of electric vehicles as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional diesel or petrol vehicles.

"The President appointed a committee to formulate a policy on vehicle imports and the committee would evaluate whether the country should adopt an open policy on vehicle imports or implement a system similar to Singapore, where a fixed number of permits are issued each year for vehicle imports," he said.

This consideration should encompass factors like the future economic landscape and the state of the road infrastructure. The issue of road accidents also holds significant importance in this context. Consequently, the committee will engage in discussions with various stakeholders to formulate relevant plans.

“The scope of work is extensive and I firmly believe that now is the opportune moment to address these concerns. As a result, President Ranil Wickremesinghe will expeditiously establish a high-level committee dedicated to preventing and managing road accidents, along with their associated fatalities and disabilities" he said.

I should note that we have facilitated a meeting between the Sri Lanka Medical Association's (SLMA) Road Accident Prevention Expert Committee and the President to further delve into this matter. I extend my gratitude to all individuals who have tirelessly contributed to this cause.”

Meanwhile Ratnayaka said that an outright ban on three-wheelers is not feasible overnight, given the significant impact on the livelihoods of many and the transportation needs of the public.

Therefore, there is a need for a comprehensive plan to gradually enhance the safety of three-wheelers until the country's economy reaches a more developed stage. (Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama)

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Comments - 35

Mizaru Thursday, 02 November 2023 07:23 AM

A clown. Start with a plastic toy car.

ERAN Wicks Thursday, 02 November 2023 07:24 AM

Order the companies that sold the three wheelers to buy back or convert to electric.

Shalani Tharaka Thursday, 02 November 2023 07:25 AM

Export my ass.

Joshua Thursday, 02 November 2023 07:36 AM

Another cabraal

ravin Thursday, 02 November 2023 07:40 AM

Bright idea it's time to begin with all government owned V8's which is burden to debit ridden Sri Lanka economy. At no cost any V8 's to be maintained by govt. of SL. Secondly all luxury vehicles maintained by govt. of SL given to good for nothing 225 to be withdrawn and export. Surely considerable amount of funds can be served and utilised for health and education.

Engineer Ajith Thursday, 02 November 2023 07:42 AM

Introduce low floor air conditioned bus services instead of today's "Lorry Buses". People will migrate from driving own cars to buses. This will reduce import of private cars.

ANURA NANAYAKKARA Thursday, 02 November 2023 07:57 AM

SAGALA RATHNAYAKA MUST BE OUT OF MIND TO TALK ABOUT EXPORTING SOME VEHICLES FROM SRI LANKA TO OTHER COUNTRIES. THIS IS LIKE RANIL'S VOLKSWAGAN FACTORY TO KURUNEGALA. JUST GIVE THE PUBLIC DEAD ROPES .!!

Sambo Thursday, 02 November 2023 08:00 AM

You will speak all the crap under the sun because you people have 2 to 3 vehicles maintained by the public but no feelings for other people to own a vehicle.

Jayantha Thursday, 02 November 2023 08:20 AM

Lol. Another joker. Instead plan to export products and providing services from here to increase the income to the country.

ram Thursday, 02 November 2023 08:21 AM

This person is mad. when people of the country for good quality vehicles at reasonable price, this idiot suggest to export vehicles. instead of improving infrastructure of road network and proper road traffic signal system he suggest to reduce number of vehicles.

VRAJ Thursday, 02 November 2023 08:26 AM

I CAN'T SEE STOP SIGNS, SIDEWALKS, AND SPEED LIMITS IN MANY PARTS OF THE COUNTRY. BUT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT REDUCING ROAD ACCIDENTS. WHAT A JOK???

Patthinige Samaradiwakara Thursday, 02 November 2023 08:35 AM

Honorable advisor , Please ensure that the balance of VIP vehicles are not hampered in this process. Sri Lanka now has an overflow of vehicles , true - I dont have sufficient space to park my SUVs.

Ara Thursday, 02 November 2023 08:52 AM

Lolla is back

Dee Thursday, 02 November 2023 08:58 AM

Yes. Correct. A very big scope out there for scrap steel and plastic. Preferable back to where they came from. Cheaper shipping cost too!

NightOwl Thursday, 02 November 2023 09:00 AM

To do these there should be several fundamental changes done to the vehicle market in Sri Lanka. this should include the following, - Reduce the import duties by large margin and make it similar to that of any other ordinary product. - May the annual ownership cost to compansate the lost revenue by way of import duties. - Simplify and open up the deregistering and export process.

Tissa Fernando Thursday, 02 November 2023 09:00 AM

First you need to build a well connected fast reliable metro train system covering all main roads. The busses should cover reamining roads. Build townships connecting main hubs so people can easily use the public transport.Then introduce higher taxes for private cars. Export all excess cars allocated to government and politicians. They too should start using public transport. Singapore has a multi facet strategy for all interconnected sectors not just about private cars. Here , these guys focus on some minor areas in isolation without considering other dependencies and interconnections.

Sachith Thursday, 02 November 2023 09:01 AM

No wonder to say these kind of stupid things. What qualification does he have to hold such key position other than Ranil's boy. What are your plans to improve public transport? who would buy crappy vehicles used here?

Karalasingam Sivalingam Thursday, 02 November 2023 09:07 AM

Sri Lanka can export condemned and vehicles which have passed thirty years from the date of manufacture, many countries find markets in African continent.

Roger D S Thursday, 02 November 2023 09:07 AM

Should implement road pricing in city limits which will limit congestion

Jude Thursday, 02 November 2023 09:21 AM

This guy Sagala an idiot!!! Wasting public money!!

Gamini Thursday, 02 November 2023 09:23 AM

How about exporting 225, will improve the economy of SL

Man Thursday, 02 November 2023 09:27 AM

The most foolish comment of the century. Will see how many exported? This is how they rule the country causing difficulties for the ordinary public with no sufficient nutritious food and three square meals and no elections held.

Premalal Perera Thursday, 02 November 2023 09:40 AM

This guy is sick.

Ram Thursday, 02 November 2023 09:41 AM

We import used vehicles. What are we going to export? Why not export the 225 in Parliament with the President?

BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 02 November 2023 09:59 AM

In the end, despite all these committees, only the hench-aiya's will be given permission to import vehicles.

RuwanL Thursday, 02 November 2023 10:06 AM

We can't do what Singapore is doing without having a good public transport system. To reduce accidents implement road discipline for vehicles as well as pedestrians. Appointing committee is an expensive way of resolving basic problems!

Silva Thursday, 02 November 2023 10:09 AM

It's a good idea to export used vehicles from Sri Lanka. It may be coupled with import permits for those who export vehicles. It can also be matched with the value or number of units exported to maintain a balance.

Prof Gunasekera Thursday, 02 November 2023 10:52 AM

Common sense. Why not expand and develop the road network. It’s not rocket science.

Tak Tik Tuk Thursday, 02 November 2023 11:14 AM

Export all three wheelers and Lorry buses, and promote importation low floor buses and four wheel taxis. Problem Solved.

Bankrupt Economy Thursday, 02 November 2023 12:41 PM

This man must be having ideas of importing new vehicles on the pretext of exporting a certain number of vehicles for traffic balance. All crooked scheming.

fedup Thursday, 02 November 2023 12:59 PM

so do you have public transport system like Singapore ? or do you have legal system Singapore ? or do you have qualified mps like Singapore ? Alease do you the landscape differences between Singapore and sri lanka ? once winston churchill said that the Politics is the ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month and next year. And to have the ability afterwards to explain why it didn’t happen. you guys will keep on doing that forever.

sam Thursday, 02 November 2023 01:07 PM

Elimination of tree wheelers should be phased out without harming those finding a living from it.

A leech Thursday, 02 November 2023 02:29 PM

Who is going to buy them? Sagala has vehicles provided at state expense? How are poor people going to travel?

Karu Thursday, 02 November 2023 02:33 PM

Is exporting vehicles used in Sri Lanka in sizable quantities even a feasible idea? Why not identify the root causes why so many young men leave the villages and come to towns and cities to take on a lifetime as three-wheel drivers in the prime of their lives? What is the root cause for disorderly Private bus driving and why are their speeds unchecked and unregulated? Sagala, everybody all knows, this is just marking time and not doing anything of value. So, please don’t try to make news of nothing for your benefit. It looks quite silly.

Wiraj Thursday, 02 November 2023 03:14 PM

All the president's men and their brilliance amazes the people of this country!

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Vehicle exportation as a solution for sustainable traffic balance: Sagala

Comments - 35

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