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Women being harassed

12 July 2011 09:59 am - 18     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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By Olindhi Jayasundere

The Transport Ministry today revealed that one in four women are subject to harassment when using the public transport each day in the country. 

Deputy Minister of Transport, Rohana Dissanayake said that this data was found during research conducted recently. The Minister revealed that a large number of women are being subject to verbal and physical abuse in buses and trains each day. He said that this has contributed to the decline in the use of public transport by passengers in recent times.

The Minister said the issue needed to be addressed in order to ensure that women are afforded their basic rights and to ensure the public transport system does not spiral downwards.

“Steps have already been taken to introduce new programs and workshops next month for both Private and SLTB bus drivers and conductors to better educate them on the importance of providing better services for women without being subject to harassment and abuse in buses,” he said. Ministry sources said that such programs will also be introduced for railway services in the future.

Ministry sources said that if bus passengers are subject to harassment when using public transport they could make their complaints to 011 7555 555.

In 2009, 56,590,210 passengers traveled in private buses while 175,000 passengers used SLTB buses. These numbers are now declining, transport ministry sources said. “If we take action to provide better transport facilities for women they will not have any fear to use public transport” he said.


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  Comments - 18

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  • shamee Tuesday, 12 July 2011 12:25 PM

    i would like to propose seperate busses for ladies and gents

    Womens lib Wednesday, 13 July 2011 03:01 AM

    NOTE: there should be no comments....complimentary or other....Women don't want to hear it!!!

    Womens lib Wednesday, 13 July 2011 02:58 AM

    Please like that ever stops anything....!

    Womens lib Wednesday, 13 July 2011 02:52 AM

    Why should women have a seperate bus....that is not going to solve the problem....men just have to learn to stop being perverts and need to have more respect for women!!
    They have to remember that it was a woman who gave birth to them and brought them up.
    In this world were women and men are equal this is a woman god given right! NO to Haressment!

    ckay Wednesday, 13 July 2011 02:46 AM

    do you think it'll be alright then? mr.minister...inaugrate covering regulations... TOTAL CRAP

    MKH Wednesday, 13 July 2011 02:07 AM

    No offense to islam Ashraf, but we dont believe in punishing women for the shameful behaviour of men!.

    Kamal Wednesday, 13 July 2011 02:04 AM

    ha... yeap I just read the Kuran... it totally says woman to cover from head to toe because people rubbing their private parts on woman who travel on busses...

    UN for good Tuesday, 12 July 2011 12:46 PM

    the only solution is to legalize prostitution and make laws and fines more strict.then govt can charge taxes from this too,like they have record income from tabacco/liquor.

    ashraf Tuesday, 12 July 2011 12:42 PM

    This is why islam told women to cover when they go outside.

    Jix Tuesday, 12 July 2011 10:02 AM

    The disgusting harassment was always common knowledge and 'workshops' the proposed solution...?

    Konde Bendapucheena Tuesday, 12 July 2011 12:10 PM

    These days being a woman is sad situation,Our Mothers,sisters ,suffering from there birth,from Father,Brothers at home after married from husband and in Laws when travel by public transport from various individual Sorry for them

    Mohamed Tuesday, 12 July 2011 11:33 AM

    Only Solution " Put Seperate Bus for Ladies Only"

    Knight Rider Tuesday, 12 July 2011 11:25 AM

    impose strict punishment ( minimum 2 days in jail + 10,000/-) have a special Female Police Unit on patrol at nights and at main bus stops.

    trainer Tuesday, 12 July 2011 10:51 AM

    Do you think bus drivers and conductors will have time to attend workshops ? even if the attend will they listen ? Workshops are needed for higher people including ministers on how to set best examples for the community!

    SL Boy Tuesday, 12 July 2011 10:55 AM

    The govt must take a strong action to prevent harassment on Ladies at the buses. Many ladies are silence on this bcz of shy and other reasons. This must be stopped asap bcz we must not let mothers in SL, to be harassed at buses.

    Anil, UK Tuesday, 12 July 2011 10:41 AM

    Handiyak Handiyak Gane Pansal... Hema thenakinma ahenne pirith... Bana! Ehew rate menna atha thathwe...


    Nothing is working...

    xlntgson Tuesday, 12 July 2011 10:35 AM

    What about the CCTV cameras proposed? That may prevent both the crew and maniacs advancing towards women, however some women pretend to make fuss even for a complimentary comments even!

    sltk2004 Tuesday, 12 July 2011 10:25 AM

    As passengers we are daily harassed by private bus operators...


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