'Cooperation of Int'l Community
in Road Infrastructure'

The following are the excerpts of an address by S. Amarasekara, secretary of the Ministry of Highways, Sri Lanka, during the opening session of the International Road and Traffic Conference held on July 7 - Ed.

One of the main issues we face in Sri Lanka is depletion of resources used for road construction. Finding metals and river sands and sub base materials for ever increasing road development is becoming an increasingly difficult task. Alternative resources or substitutes for these depleting materials and methods of recycling of materials should be found. More and more research and integrated ways of sharing knowledge at regional and international levels are needed to solve this issue.
Also the inadequate capacity of the private sector institutions involved in the road sector work is another important issue faced by us in Sri Lanka. They do not have sufficient skills, technologies and heavy machinery that are needed for the construction of roads with high standards. Today, a high degree of corporation can be achieved between road agencies of different countries. In order to develop the capacity of private sector companies, designing a new program for cooperation between private sector companies of developed and developing countries should be sought. I would like to request this forum to consider this aspect as a matter of priority.
Even though Asia can do much on its own, the support and cooperation of the international community will be essential in confronting through the huge task of building a safe and high mobility road network in developing countries. Therefore, building partnership with the international community through various channels such as donors will also help to enhance the capacity of individual countries to plan, implement, maintain and operate a high quality road network and an efficient safety transport system. nw