We wanted to reduce vehicles ....

We wanted to reduce vehicles ....

until roads are made

- Ravi Karunanayaka

Minister Ravi Karunanayaka has said that prices of vehicles were increased in this budget in an unusual manner because the number of vehicles imported to this country has become unbearable for

roads in this country to bear and it was with the motive of limiting the number of vehicles in the country in the future.

Minister Ravi during his sojourn in Japan recently had addressed importers of vehicles to Sri Lanka asking them to curtail imports of vehicles and he had said so while in Japan. The reason for this idea of his is not to provide an advantage to them; it is the problem that the roads are not able to bear such a load of vehicles. Finance Minister Mr. Ravi Karunanayaka had told the daily Island newspaper that the government is taking steps to limit imports of vehicles after discussions with parties relevant to importing vehicles. What is necessary for the country is not buying vehicles, but to provide common consolation for the common man, the Minister had said and that according to the motivation of 'making the country', this budget was prepared.

He also mentioned that by now there are 69 lakhs of vehicles in the country and apart from that there are 68,000 vehicles belonging to the State sector and that the country cannot bear that total number. He points out that vehicles would be limited until the highway system in this country is strengthened which has been the motive of the government. He had mentioned that the main aim of the government is to free the public from poverty and to create a developed nation for the entire public and that we should make limitations on luxuries on our own along that path. Minister Ravi had said that vehicles of this country are purchased by the wealthy and that there are no vehicles among issues of people who do not have three proper meals.

Information -- Shiran Ranasingha