Signal light system at roundabouts soon to ease traffic jam

By Kelum Bandara

In order to reduce traffic congestion in major cities, traffic signal light systems will be installed at roundabouts within six months, while improving the existing ones, Highways Minister Johnston Fernando said.

The Minister said that the construction of roundabouts and the installation of light signal system will be completed within six months to ease traffic congestion in major cities.  Dr. Dimantha de Silva of the University of Moratuwa is already preparing a study report with a leading team of experts to recommend ways and means to ease traffic congestion, the Minister said.
This study report focuses on traffic congestion and how to deal with it.

He said, “The project will be implemented in almost all major cities in the country, such as Colombo, Kandy, Kurunegala, Galle, Matara, Anuradhapura, Puttalam, Trincomalee, Ratnapura, Kegalle and Nuwara Eliya.  Our hope is to increase the transport facilities of the people. We hope to create an era in which the farming community will be able to market their produce quickly so that they can get to the hospital, to the workplace and to do their work quickly.  So have no doubt, we are developing not only the main roads but also the rural roads.
Commenting on allegations about the move to sell off the East Terminal of Colombo Port, he said it was a blatant lie.  The Yahapalana government has destroyed this country for the last five years.  As a government we are untying the knot that they tied.  The President has decided what is best for the people of the country.  Every project is implemented with the best interest of the people and the country. That is the reality.  Protests  are part of the features of a democratic country.  Protests were also active during my tenure as the Minister in charge of Ports.  That is nothing new.  However, when the Hambantota port was sold by Ranil Wickremesinghe and Premadasa and their supporters, the shouting trade unions were silent.  If such a battle had been waged then such a situation would not have arisen in this country today, when the Hambantota port is sold.  It would be good if port shares were invested in our country’s stock market.  There is nothing wrong with that, it’s very good thing.  The President has promised not to sell off this port.