The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development has expressed dissatisfaction with the Department of Railways over its progress related to the Kelani Valley Railway Line Project and the Thambuttegama Railway Station Development Project.
The view was disclosed during a review of the financial and physical progress of the 2025 budget proposals of four ministries held in Parliament recently (11), under the chairmanship of MP S.M. Marikkar.
The Committee examined the financial and physical progress of the budget proposals for the year 2025 relating to the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Civil Aviation, the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply, and the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development. Secretaries of these ministries and heads of relevant institutions were summoned to the meeting.
According to a Parliament statement, attention was drawn to the Kelani Valley Railway Line Project, for which Rs. 250 million had been allocated last year, yet its progress remains minimal. The Committee observed that although funds were allocated through the budget in March 2025, satisfactory progress has not been achieved, reflecting inefficiency within the Department of Railways.
For the current year as well, Rs. 840 million has been allocated for the Kelani Valley Railway Line. However, the Committee noted that without a proper and efficient plan, it would be impossible to achieve the targeted progress, resulting ultimately in the public expectations not being met in due time.
The Committee further reviewed the utilization of funds allocated for the Thambuttegama Railway Station Development Project under the 2025 budget and pointed out that the technical explanations provided by officials were completely unsatisfactory.
Expressing regret over the continued delays in project implementation, which ultimately lead to unutilized funds being returned to the Treasury, the Committee expressed its dissatisfaction. Accordingly, the Committee instructed the Department of Railways to present specific plans with timelines instead of vague technical responses.
It was also decided to summon again the Department of Railways, Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), and other relevant institutions to review the progress of fund utilization under the budget, and officials were directed to attend with accurate and complete data.
Further attention was paid to the budget proposals of these four ministries, including highway and rural bridge renovation, procurement of new buses, renovation of Colombo apartment buildings under the Urban Development Authority, and future goals in the energy sector.
The Committee also informed the officials of the Ports Authority to take steps to promptly submit the report on the possibility of making the Galle Port profitable, as previously notified.
Additionally, the Chairman expressed appreciation for the performance of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, as revealed during previous Committee sessions. (Newswire)