Sri Lanka, Norway discuss green transport and road safety
COLOMBO – Sri Lanka’s Transport, Highways and Urban Development Minister and Leader of the House, Bimal Rathnayake, held bilateral talks with his counterpart in Norway, Transport Minister Kamzy Gunaratnam, in Oslo, on sustainable transport, road safety and inclusive infrastructure development.
Commenting on the meeting during Rathnayake’s official visit to Norway, Gunaratnam said the discussions covered the transition to green transport, measures to combat social dumping in the transport sector, and improving safety for people in urban and rural communities.
Gunaratnam, a Sri Lankan-born Norwegian politician, said Rathnayake had informed her that more than 2,700 people died in road accidents in Sri Lanka last year, many of them young people.
Describing the figure as deeply distressing, she stressed the importance of prioritizing human lives in transport policies.
“Road safety is about people, families and future generations. These are consequences we can never ignore,” she said.
The two ministers also discussed social inclusion and the need for public policies that represent people across ethnic, social and geographical backgrounds.
Gunaratnam noted that inclusion remained particularly important in Sri Lanka, where the legacy of the civil conflict continued to affect communities. She also conveyed her best wishes for the country’s efforts to advance reconciliation and social cohesion.
She said infrastructure development should address not only transport and climate challenges but also wider social needs, helping connect communities and create opportunities.
“I wish them success in building infrastructure that not only meets climate and transport needs, but also helps address social challenges. Such efforts can unite the country, create opportunities for people and contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future,” she said.
Gunaratnam emphasized that transport policy should extend beyond roads and mobility to serve as a means of strengthening social connections and national unity.
–ENCL
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