The Ministry of Transport, Highways and Mass Media is organising the National Green Mobility Exhibition and Conference (Green Mobility Exhibition and Conference) from November 10-12 in Pitipana, Homagama to mark World Transport Day 2023.
Many public and private institutions including the President’s office, Prime Minister’s office, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Industries, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Transport and Highways are contributing to this exhibition and conference.
A discussion was held at the Transport Ministry about the organisation of the exhibition and the conference, implemented according to a concept of Minister of Transport, Highways and Mass Media, Dr. Bandula Gunawardena.
Minister Dr. Gunawardena said this is the first time that such a huge exhibition related to the transport sector is being held in Sri Lanka. “Many countries are now converting to sustainable transport methods instead of fossil fuels. In view of the current situation, the long-term use of fuel in the transport sector is not sustainable and viable”, he added.
There are a large number of designers and manufacturers in the country who are engaged in the production of electric vehicles and accessories on their own without Government support. In order to create more awareness about them, we hope to hold a national exhibition and conference on electric vehicles and e-mobility solutions with the participation of all sectors including local and foreign manufacturers.
This exhibition is also scheduled to be held as a preliminary step to designate 2024 as the Year of e-Mobility. For this purpose, the Department of Motor Traffic has started a program for full digitization. We also hope to add 200 electric buses, expand the registration of electric scooters etc. and making necessary amendments to the relevant laws. Also, it will be possible to achieve objectives like converting the Kelani Valley railway line into an electronic railway line and issuing digital train tickets. As an initial step to achieve all these goals, this exhibition will open a new entrance for green vehicles.”
The innovations of manufacturers, engineers and designers who are currently engaged in the production of electric vehicles in Sri Lanka are to be showcased in this exhibition. Also, there will be exhibition booths containing products including spare parts and accessories related to the field, new products of major companies in the field of electricity and electric vehicles in foreign countries, applications related to the field of Information Technology, conference workshops and practical activities for school students and young people engaged in professional education. The public will have the opportunity to test the electric vehicles produced by local companies at the launch event.
Many financial institutions, insurance and leasing institutions, including public and private banks, are going to contribute to the exhibition in order to provide banking and financial facilities to the producers and consumers.”
Through this exhibition and conference organized under the guidance of Minister Dr. Gunawardena, 2024 will be promoted to the promotion of green transportation.
Also, through the conference on electricity and electric transmission systems organized in conjunction with the exhibition, a common platform will be created for a discourse on the problems faced by manufacturers, entrepreneurs, importers, exporters and professionals in the field. A new path will be opened to achieve many goals such as offering new solutions to any fuel crisis that the country may face in the future, as well as encouraging new local manufacturers, opening up opportunities for new export markets that have a growing demand in the international market, and creating a large job market in the green transport and e-mobility sectors.
