The Jaffna District Special Transport Coordination Committee meeting was held at the Jaffna District Secretariat on Thursday morning (18.09.2025). The meeting was attended by the Hon. Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake, Hon. Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic Sciences, and Marine Resources R. Chandrasekar, and the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province N. Vethanayahan.
After the welcome address by Jaffna District Secretary M. Piiratheepan, the Governor expressed his gratitude to Hon. Minister Bimal Rathnayake for convening the special meeting to address the transport issues in the Jaffna District. The Governor acknowledged that various development projects are being implemented across the country and highlighted that the modernization of the Colombo Central Bus Stand has particularly drawn attention. He emphasized the need for similar upgrades in the Northern Province and reminded that nine bus stands in the region have already been selected under the Clean Sri Lanka Project.
Following this, Hon. Minister R. Chandrasekar emphasized that the government’s goal is to improve transportation in the Jaffna district, aiming to surpass the current situation.
Hon. Minister Bimal Rathnayake, continuing the discussion, stated that the Cabinet has decided to establish a separate district-level coordination committee for each issue that directly impacts the public. He announced that Hon. Member of Parliament K. Ilankumaran has been appointed as the Chairman of the Jaffna District Transport Coordination Committee.
Thereafter, the issues related to each department under the Ministry of Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation were reviewed individually.
The discussion began with the projects under the Road Development Authority. During this session, Hon. Minister Bimal Rathnayake announced that an additional allocation of 250 million rupees would be provided specifically for road development in the island areas.
Following this, passenger sea transport was discussed, along with concerns related to road accidents, driver training schools operating in the Jaffna district, and issues concerning the Railway Department. Notably, various stakeholders, including the Governor, strongly urged the resumption of railway services that had previously been in operation but are currently suspended.
Meanwhile, various opinions were expressed regarding the Sri Lanka Transport Board’s Central Bus Stand in Jaffna city, particularly in relation to increasing traffic congestion in the area. Notably, discussions also covered the development and operational aspects of the Kankesanthurai Port and Palali Airport.
Hon. Members of Parliament S. Sritharan, K. Ilankumaran, S. Sribavanantharaja, and J. Rajeevan, along with Hon. Chairmen of pradeshiya Sabhas, ministry officials, security personnel, and several other stakeholders, took part in the discussion.
