University of Moratuwa Emeritus Prof. Amal S. Kumarage said that the high import costs for transport inputs and excessive household spending on transport are severely burdening Sri Lanka’s economy and families. He said that nearly 25 percent of the country’s import bill and an equivalent proportion of household income are devoted to transport, imposing significant strain on both macroeconomic stability and household budgets.
Speaking to the Sunday Observer Prof. Kumarage pointed to the stark contrast in vehicle ownership between Sri Lanka and more developed nations such as Singapore, where public transport reduces the need for private vehicles. In Sri Lanka, car ownership stands at 257 vehicles per 1,000 people, compared to 15 in Singapore. The professor said that historically, 70-80 percent of Sri Lankans relied on public transport, but this figure has now dropped to 30-40 percent, calling for an urgent reversal of this trend.
He criticised past policies that promote vehicle ownership while claiming to improve public transport, calling them contradictory and unsustainable. Prof. Kumarage stressed the need for a shift in Government priorities, urging a move away from promoting cars towards investing in better public transportation. He said that a comprehensive transport solution is essential for the nation’s development and prosperity.
