Development activities in the coastal railway line commenced this morning. The initial laying of rail tracks was taken place at Pelana in Weligama. Under the first phase of the project, the railway track from Matara to Galle will be carried out with Indian assistance. The second stage of the development focuses between Galle and Kalutara. The third phase deals with the railway line from Kalutara to Colombo. Under this project the track will be relayed enabling trains to go at high speed in order to drastically reduce the travel time and operate additional train services.
A function to inaugurate the laying of the new track was held at the Weligama Railway Station this morning with the participation of the Minister of Transport Mr. Kuamara Welgama, the Deputy Minister of Transport Mr. Rohana Dissanayake and the Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Mr. Ashok K.Kantha.
The reconstruction of the rail track between Matara and Galle is scheduled to be completed by end November. Rail Services between Galle and Matara remain closed upto 1st December, 2010. The SLTB is providing special shuttle bus services between Matara and Galle to coincide with main train arrival and departure times. (niz).
Sri Lanka’s revenue from taxes has risen sharply after import duties on vehicles were slashed. The Director-General for fiscal policy of the Ministry of Finance and Planning S.R.Attygalle said the government earned 1,700 million rupees in July on vehicle import tax revenue alone after import taxes were slashed in June. It is an increase of around 240 percent compared to only about Rs. 500 million in May, the pre-tax cut period.
One of the objectives of reducing import tax was to raise tax revenue from vehicle imports. The Finance Ministry expects tax revenue from vehicle imports would further increase in August. Mr. Atygalle explained that vehicle prices would come down further in the coming months, and their aim is to make it easier for people to acquire vehicles as economic activity revives with the end of the war.(niz).
“Every drop of water that fills up this great port should dissolve and wipe out the feelings of weakness and inability that once prevailed among us”
It is not sea water that will fill this port, but the future prosperity of our nation. From this port will emerge our true economic independence. This a great symbol of our moving away from the days when we said we are unable to develop for lack of funds, to a time when we can show how the country can be developed through our own strength, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the large gathering at the Karadiyawara Mangallaya, the ceremonial sea water intake completing Phase One of the Hambantota Port Development today (15). President Rajapaksa said: “We are now engaged in building our future. Ours is the rising economy in Asia. This is our own vision. It is of our own construction. This new emerging economy will be enriched with a knowledge economy in addition to the physical and infrastructural facilities.”
He added that: “We must announce to the world that this is a massive technological achievement built in Sri Lanka. Therefore, we will not anymore be a nation that is satisfied with supplying only fuel and water to ships. This port must lead to the emergence of tens of thousands of employment opportunities."
The filling of the Hambantota Basin will take within nine days.Several programmes are in place for the convenience of the public flocking to the location to have a glimpse of the Harbour before it is being filled with water. Hambantota port is the first of its kind as the Port is being built inland and the water filling will be done to the basin on 15th. Many people are now visiting the location to view the Harbour. The President had also invited the public to see to pay a visit to the Harbour before it is being filled with water as it is a very rare occasion. Facilities are afforded to the public to view the Harbour between 8.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m.
The Ambalantota Depot is operating a special bus service for the crowds, including school children Private vehicle are permitted only to reach the Construction Office. Thereafter they are being taken to Harbour site by special buses.
The aim is to overcome any congestion that would arise due to the arrival of many private vehicles. The Harbour Basin will be filled with water on the 15th of this month.
