2026-02-18 / debate: Special Commodity Levy Act Order, Customs Ordinance Resolution, Motor Traffic Act Regulations 2026-02-18
## Summary
Minister Rathnayake reported on post-Cyclone "Michaung" infrastructure recovery, stating that approximately 1,200 km of the 1,700 km railway network was restored within three months, with critical support from the tri-forces, Indian military units, and medical teams from India and Japan; the Peradeniya bridge collapse is being addressed in partnership with the University of Peradeniya and CECB, with Kochchikade services targeted for resumption by 14 April, and 99% of RDA roads and bridges have been returned to trafficable condition. Addressing the previous day's attempted railway strike, the Minister clarified that training approximately 20 military personnel as reserve drivers was a contingency resilience measure and not intended to replace railway workers or suppress union action, emphasising that the Government had not deployed forces against prior strikes. He expressed regret that the industrial action disrupted Ordinary Level examination candidates and apologised to students and parents, noting that train services had resumed normally and that the Government had recruited 190 new railway drivers—the first intake in seven to eight years—as part of broader public service restoration efforts.
Kindly allow a couple more minutes, since much time was lost due to interruptions.
We must also address the railway. Following Cyclone “Michaung,” of approximately 1,700 km of operational railway, only about 400 km remained serviceable; the rest was devastated. Within about three months, we restored around 1,200 km to operation—a massive effort. This was possible not only due to the Department of Railways officers and public support, but critically with the direct assistance of the tri-forces, who transported rock, machinery and personnel. Without them, we could not have restored even half of that.
At Peradeniya, the bridge collapsed. Together with the University of Peradeniya and CECB, we are working to restore it, targeting recommencement of Kochchikade services by 14 April. In Badulla and elsewhere, tri-forces engineers, divers and other specialists supported landslide clearance and infrastructure repairs. RDA roads and bridges—99 per cent—have been restored to trafficable condition with assistance from our tri-forces and Indian military units. Medical teams from India and Japan assisted hospitals at Mahiyanganaya and Chilaw. NBRO, RDA and tri-forces engineering units set up an operations room to coordinate slope stability works. It is evident worldwide: in disasters, the tri-forces play a vital role.
On the attempted railway strike yesterday: we regret that it targeted Ordinary Level examination candidates. We had no intention to deploy the tri-forces against trade unions. Training about 20 military personnel as emergency reserve drivers was merely to build resilience for emergencies—not to replace or undermine railway drivers. Daily, about 280 train services operate; training 20 personnel poses no threat to the service. We did not consider deploying forces even when previous strikes stopped services for days; we will not use them to break union action. But sacrificing children’s examinations is unacceptable. We have already adjusted that training out of concern for the students.
Our Government has recruited 190 new railway drivers—the first intake after 7–8 years—and station masters after a similar gap, as part of restoring the public service. Some calling strikes have just received their January salary increases. We support unions fighting for the public, but not disruptive actions that hold the public hostage.
To the O/L candidates and their parents, I sincerely apologize for the brief disruptions yesterday. Today, train services are operating properly, and students have been able to reach exams.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the opportunity.
Question proposed.