IPPBA says traffic fines adding up to 5000%

21 February 2017 08:07 pm - 24 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Committee appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena on the Rs.25,000 fine for seven traffic in its report stated that the fines should been increased to a total of up to 5,000 per cent, Inter Provincial Private Bus Association (IPPBA) President Sarath Vijitha Kumara said today.

He told the media that if the committee recommendations were adopted by the Government, all the private bus associations, including other transport services would resort to a countrywide work stoppage like on December 2 last year.

“We will not allow even an increase Rs.100 without discussions with the transport sector stakeholders. The report has recommended an increase of up to 5,000 per cent with the minimum fine of Rs.20 being increased to Rs.1000,” Mr. Kumara said. “The Rs.25,000 fine has been increased to Rs.30,000 and could go up to Rs.150,000 including a jail term of up to ten years if the Court decides. The Government has not thought of the monthly or the daily income of a driver."

He said if a driver was sentenced to jail for a minimum of three months his family would be deprived of any income.

"The Government has not considered the people but is more concerned about revenue generated to the Treasury. According to the recommendation, fines will be increased in percentages of 500, 1000, 1,500 and 5,000. The committee has not consulted any one nor has it done any preliminary investigation on Government taxes or the income of the people concerned,” Mr. Kumara said. "Fines should be increased in a systematic manner. For more than 15 years the fines had not been adjusted. It is fare to impose fines if the Government provided suitable infrastructure facilities on roads as well. Therefore the committee recommendation report on fines for those seven traffic offences should be rejected." (Chaturanga Pradeep)

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Comments - 24

Mahila Wednesday, 22 February 2017 08:22 AM

Probably these drivers believe that if they possess 10 or 15 year old bus, outdated, which is breaking down continuously, then should not buy a new Bus to replace, but buy a 10 year old bus instead and gradually change to a new bus in 15 years’ time from now. Otherwise the passengers will get shell shocked and avoid them like a Plague.

Sentinel Thursday, 23 February 2017 08:22 AM

It is time to revive the SLTB. Not as a dumping ground for politicians' goons, but as a efficiently run organisation. The private bus owners have been given permits to provide an essential public service. If they resort to strikes, then the permits should be withdrawn and the buses nationalised forthwith.Get the Forces to run the nationalised buses under the SLTB until properly trained and disciplined drivers are available.The Transport Minister should take firm action, otherwise it would be as if Inter Provincial Private Bus Association (IPPBA) President Sarath Vijitha Kumara (wow) is the defacto Minister.

Sameen Jan Thursday, 23 February 2017 08:10 AM

Increase the fine to Rs 10 million for road deaths-homicides.Confiscate the vehicle and sell it. All vehicles will have to be insured to cover this.No more 3rd party insurance.Think of the NOK of the dead not bus owners and silly bus owners presidents

Sentinel Thursday, 23 February 2017 08:10 AM

All existing bus drivers should be asked to take the driving test again as they have got their DLs by bribing the examiners. However bring down some examiners from countries like Germany and Sweden where road safety is near perfection. This will also prevent corruption.Drivers of all fee levying passenger vehicles should also face psychological evaluation, tests for drug addiction etc. Our striking doctors could find time to prepare such evaluations.The tests should be paid for by the govt to be fair. However this cost would be minimal compared to the losses on the roads at present due to these maniacs and thugs.

rosebud Wednesday, 22 February 2017 11:13 PM

Should be 10000% . via DM Android App

green light 4 crossing Wednesday, 22 February 2017 05:19 PM

In fact yestrday - 21.2.17 in front of Savoy cinema's pedastrion crossing didnt stop two speading bases at 5.45pm. I a disable person almost knock down by the menic drivers where the crossing lights were green.WHO IS RESPONCIBLE

OMG Wednesday, 22 February 2017 04:02 PM

Exactly, how selfish and stupid these people. They only concerned driver and his family, what about the passengers, pedestrians and other vehicles on the road. Dont they have family or life?????

Mahila Wednesday, 22 February 2017 01:03 PM

Most Schools are in the heart of residential areas. How practical is to have a 1 KM sterile zone as residential cars will be moving in and out. Hard to enforce.

FAZIL Wednesday, 22 February 2017 12:43 PM

What are we doing ??? Negotiating with offenders ??? SL will not succeed if you do budge for everything, if this is true democracy implement without any further dialog, This is peoples decision, see the comments of all the readers and decide.

Saman Wednesday, 22 February 2017 11:06 AM

If your drivers don't break the law... then no need to worry about the fines. Simple ne.

ceylon Wednesday, 22 February 2017 08:23 AM

create drivers proffesional drivers.then no need to pay fines. via DM Android App

Justica USA... Wednesday, 22 February 2017 08:22 AM

dumb idiot its not that thegivt wants to make profit on these...this is yo discipline your drivers...specially outstation bus drivers... to be even more specific..soutTangalla hern bus drivers...who care less about lives but the 30 rps he can make extra....chk on buses plying to n from Colombo to Galle Matara ...they behave like thugs n how they abuse people is beyond comprehension...if u bug want to strike...we the people will choose not to travel in ur buses n ask the govt to revoke your route permits...WHO DO U THINK U DIMWITS ARE via DM Android App

Dee Tuesday, 21 February 2017 08:27 PM

Implement it. Don't listen to these cheap fellows.

Mahila Wednesday, 22 February 2017 08:08 AM

Agreed increases are steep, because the driving habits of the drivers have also deteriorated down very steeply. Radical situations need radical solutions. If they are not steep increases like that proposed, the carnage - traffic killings and maiming on the roads - go on longer. We must stop these killings immediately. Follow Road rules; then less pain of fines, killings/accidents.

Mahila Wednesday, 22 February 2017 07:55 AM

The low fines applicable before didn't resolve the issue. Paid 20 rupees and did the same offence the day after, because they could well afford the fine. A cup of Tea. Past fine amounts are not relevant. They didn't work. did not stop repeat offences. Solution is from today be a good rule abiding driver/conductor.

Ruwan Wednesday, 22 February 2017 06:36 AM

The problem with Sri Lankan is that they have too much freedom. And gone blind and cant even recognize what is right and what is wrong. via DM Android App

Henry Wednesday, 22 February 2017 06:12 AM

The Government should not bow down for these bus associations. Next the drug peddlers, murders etc will form organisations and demand lesser punishments. High time for the government to purchase few hundreds of buses and run as was done by Anil Moonesinghe with proper administration.

Nihal Gunatilake Wednesday, 22 February 2017 06:11 AM

Hello - Follow the Traffic Rules and drive carefully. Respect the other drivers and pedestrians on the road. Stop the RACING near the destinations!!. Heavy vehicle drivers are notorious drivers compare to small vehicle drivers. bye- Nihal Gunatilake

E.H.Pemaratne Wednesday, 22 February 2017 06:08 AM

The government has brought lot if trouble. If the issue is is an unmanageable traffic on roads turn from roads to railways. Once there was a proposal to introduce rail . Do it soon during peak hours a fleet of about 100 in all directions. Convert small scale bus services to companies by giving tax incentives .This will discipline the drivers very much, There want be a competition between drivers. Introduce small size buses in presently unprovided roads, so that demand for three wheelers can be reduced. Raise taxes on motor cycles at least by 200% so that demand for it will reduce. Stop public coming to meet ministers and public officials for administrative matter so lot of pedestrian traffic can be reduced..Make the 1 km limit to school entry so that school bound unnecessary trips can be curtailed.The issue is the government wants to have the cake and eat the cake .

Upali Wednesday, 22 February 2017 06:01 AM

Govt has to look after the safety of the population and not inability of bus drivers to drive following laws. These laws affect not only bus drivers, but everybody who do not know to use the road properly. Govt should not give in to thuggery

KaluSudha Tuesday, 21 February 2017 11:43 PM

What a Hypocrite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Talking of the driver's family starving, when they have no qualms of killing people on the road?Who is going to feed their family? Con-Dosthara Gemunu????

sabe Tuesday, 21 February 2017 10:48 PM

If government is a GOVERNMENT, implement it. If they stop work, take the buses and run them using the military.

L C A Tuesday, 21 February 2017 09:20 PM

Government increases VAT / other taxes and prices of basic needs overnight without listening to the people concerned. So why they are scared of this third class private bus mafia on this issue ?

public Tuesday, 21 February 2017 08:29 PM

You must understand this is to increase safety, while I sympathize with you, I would honestly rather you lose your income for 3 months than lose your life or even worse have life-long medical treatment.

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IPPBA says traffic fines adding up to 5000%

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