Road to prosperity

Most of Sri Lanka's roads, even those in the major cities, are in a poor condition. Some are so dilapidated, they can hardly be called roads. Good roads are vital for the development of any country. Be it goods or passenger transport, a network of top-notch roads is essential to keep the wheels of economy rolling.

This is why the Government is keen to construct more major highways and repair existing ones. The existing roads, especially in the major cities and those linking various cities, cannot cope with the increasing number of vehicles - around 700 vehicles are registered daily.

The result is traffic congestion on a vast scale, with attendant problems such as the massive waste of fuel and manpower, not to mention loss of productivity. Moreover, local and foreign investors are loath to begin new projects in the outstations as transport links are inadequate.

To its credit, the present Government has revived many expressway projects which have been talked about for years without actually getting off the ground. The Colombo-Galle Southern Expressway is already under construction and work on the Colombo-Katunayake expressway, abandoned halfway earlier, is likely to resume soon.

Now the Government is planning to construct a highway linking Negombo and Trincomalee. This is a step in the right direction, as the East has been neglected in formulating many development projects. Trincomalee is a vital nerve centre in the country with maritime potential and faster access to the Eastern hub will be a boon for business.

Likewise, peace moves should include the full repair and widening of the Kandy-Jaffna A9 road. The opening of the road has boosted Jaffna's economy immensely, integrating Southern and Northern economies in an unprecedented manner.

As Finance Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama has pointed out while announcing the Trinco highway project, Sri Lanka has neglected physical infrastructure development. This has cost the country dearly, impeding its march to become a regional financial and economic hub. It also affects the local construction industry itself, which is deprived of major engineering projects.

We hope this issue will be addressed by the construction policy which will shortly be presented in parliament as a Bill. Where possible, major projects should be given to local contractors, who are often neglected in favour of foreign construction companies.

Other infrastructure facilities too must be developed along with roads. The country needs several more power plants, though some plans are unfortunately mired in political controversy. This is not a healthy state of affairs and all political parties must reach a consensus on such projects for the long-term benefit of the country.

Housing, water supply and drainage and telecommunications are equally important. The latter is witnessing rapid growth thanks to the infusion of GSM and CDMA technologies which have enabled many people even in remote areas to buy a phone cover the counter. Such a revolution is just what the country needs to develop its infrastructure to international levels.