Venerable Katugastota Uparathana Thera, Chief Judicial Sanghanayake of the United States and Chief Incumbent of the Maryland International Buddhist Temple, stated that he had previously met several Members of Parliament and ministers who had used official overseas visits funded by public money for shopping.
However, the Thera expressed confidence that MPs and ministers of the present government have refrained from engaging in such short-sighted practices.
He made these remarks when Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Prasanna Gunasinghe visited him last Friday (13) during his official trip to the United States to seek blessings.
Dr. Gunasinghe is currently in the U.S. to participate in the Transforming Transportation 2026 programme organised annually by the World Bank, which focuses on promoting innovation and transformation in the global transportation sector.
During the meeting, Venerable Uparathana Thera noted that international exposure and experience are essential for strengthening Sri Lanka’s road transport sector.
He also pointed out that developed countries such as the United States operate transport services primarily as a public service rather than a profit-oriented venture, suggesting that Sri Lanka could consider adopting a similar approach.
Deputy Minister Gunasinghe briefed the Thera on strategies to improve Sri Lanka’s road transport system using knowledge and insights gained from the four-day programme held at the World Bank headquarters in Washington, D.C..
