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the countrys transport infrastructure. These are: weak institutional capacity at all levels; the inability of transport agencies to mobilize resources; and an underdeveloped private sector. These weaknesses result in the inadequate upgrading, development, and maintenance of assets, which adversely affects the quality of transport services. As a result, the sector experiences the following bottlenecks: Low capacity of highways and lack of expressways to connect major growth centres. National highways, which are mostly two-lane, are unable to carry the current volume of mixed traffic (pedestrians, bikes, bullock-pulled-vehicles and motor vehicles). This, together with the lack of side lanes and paved shoulders, leads to uncontrolled development of roadsides and causes low travel speeds, poor level of service, and less long-distance traffic. Severe deterioration of provincial and local roads. Neglected maintenance, as well as the lack of official capacity and resources, has led to the severe deterioration of roads. This adversely affects farmers taking produce to markets and villagers travelling to cities to reach social services. Traffic congestion in town centres and lack of enforcement of city road regulations. Cities suffer from slow traffic, unenforced driving and parking regulations, narrow roads, inappropriately designed junctions, and poorly marked lanes. A high percentage of buses - some 60 percent - do not meet safety standards. Urban streets are in poor condition due to flooding, blocked drains, heavy traffic, and low quality construction. The lack of drainage poses a serious threat to traffic in congested areas, affects peoples health, and hampers the development of commerce and tourism. Poor condition of railways and deteriorated services. The lack of maintenance funds has led to the poor condition of tracks, bridges, and railway stations. In addition, the number of locomotives is insufficient while those that are available are obsolete, and signalling and communication systems are outdated. This causes significant delays in train schedules, as well as dangerous derailments. Key Government Initiatives In its election manifesto (Mahinda Chintana), the Government of Sri Lanka recognizes an urgent need to invest in the improvement of its transport infrastructure to meet the countrys economic and social needs and foster pro-poor growth and reduce regional disparities. Priority actions are as follows: Upgrade international and domestic airports. The BIAKatunayake Airport near Colombo is expected to emerge as a regional hub between Singapore and Dubai, and connect by seaplane to domestic airports to facilitate transport and tourism. Develop shipping and ports.The aim is to improve the competitiveness of Sri Lankas ports compared to those in southern India and the Persian Gulf region, and introduce the next generation of deep draught ships. The sub-sector is open for public-private partnerships and the government is eager to promote investment. Improve road infrastructure. Build a modern road network, and upgrade existing roads to meet the countrys economic and
upgrade existing roads to meet the countrys economic and social development needs, connect poor regions and production centres to domestic and international markets, enhance road safety, and promote private sector participation in infrastructure improvement. Infrastructure development is of paramount importance to meet the Governments target of economic growth at 6 to 8 percent each year for the next five years. To this end, the medium term target is to substantially increase expenditure on transport infrastructure from 5 percent in 2004 to 7 percent of Gross Domestic Production (GDP) by 2006. World Bank Support From the late 1960s to the mid-1990s,the World Bank provided four loans to improve Sri Lankas roads and assisted in the development of sector policy. More recently, the Bank approved the largest ever investment assistance in the form of a US$100 million credit to finance the maintenance, rehabilitation and upgrading of the countrys national highways and support the governments reform initiatives for financing sustainable road maintenance. This loan was made effective on March 2006. In addition, the Bank is supporting the Government on its review of the efficiencyof road sector expenditures.
Length of Roads Main Roads Paved Roads Access to All-Season-Roads Road Density - LAND Rail Track Length Total No. of Ports Total turnaround time Total No. of Airports International