Sri Lanka development funds are plentiful, Minister Bimal Ratnayake says, outlining major plans for transport, energy and public services.
Sri Lanka development funds are readily available for major national projects, Minister Bimal Ratnayake has said, promising a complete transformation of the country by 2029.
The Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation said the Ministry of Finance has ample funding for development projects. These include schools, hospitals, bridges and highways.
Speaking to the media after attending an event, the Minister stressed the availability of public funds for development.
“To tell the truth, there are tons of money in the Ministry of Finance. There are funds available to build schools and bridges,” he said.
Ratnayake described 2025 as the year in which the government stabilised the economy, law and society. Meanwhile, he said the period from 2026 to 2028 would deliver full development across every sector.
The government’s ultimate goal, he added, is to achieve a complete transformation of the country by 2029.
Commenting on transport problems, the Minister said the sector had suffered years of neglect. Therefore, he estimated that reaching safe and comfortable standards would take another four or five years.
However, the government has already launched the Metro Bus service. It is also making arrangements to acquire another 800 buses for the Sri Lanka Transport Board within the next year.
The Minister said authorities are also taking steps to accelerate development work on railway sections up to Rambukkana, Peradeniya and Nawalapitiya. These projects aim to address existing shortcomings in the railway system.
Despite the availability of Sri Lanka development funds, Ratnayake identified major obstacles to implementation. He pointed to the weakening of the state sector under previous administrations and a shortage of technical officers.
The Minister said waste management, drinking water supply and green energy will receive the highest allocation next year.
He added that the government is taking steps to accelerate waste-to-energy projects, particularly those involving garbage from areas such as Aruwakkalu and Karadiyana.
