Minimum traffic fine won’t be changed: Ravi

13 November 2016 11:53 am - 9 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Responding to a demand made by private bus operators to abolish the proposed minimum traffic fine of 2,500 rupees, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said that the proposal was made to save the lives of motorists as well as pedestrians and that the decision won’t be changed.

“Why are the private bus operators so much against the law” asked the minister. He noted that a section of bus operators making such a demand amounted to a tacit admission that they are frequent offenders.

Issuing a statement he said the government will not waver in its commitment to make Sri Lankan roads safer by instilling a greater sense of discipline and respect for traffic rules.

He said that lawlessness, including the rampant disregard for road rules, was one of the biggest problems in the country.

“Over 90 percent of the proposals received by the finance ministry in preparation of the budget called for discipline in all areas with strict adherence to the laws of the country,” he said.

The motive of those who oppose the fines appears to be that they want the government to give them a free license to kill at will and get away with highway murder.

The traffic fines proposed in the budget were not a revenue measure, but designed to be a deterrent to ensure that there will be no repetition of offences and there would be an improvement in the safety record of the roads. Therefore, the private bus drivers, or for that matter any other motorist, need not fear the new fines as long as they obey the rules and only those who habitually violate traffic rules will have to pay the fines.

According to police reports, so far this year, nearly 3,000 people have been killed in traffic accidents making Sri Lankan roads among the most dangerous in the world. This is a dubious honour that we must shed. This also surpassed the number of people killed annually in the decades-long separatist war.

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Comments - 9

annoyed Sunday, 13 November 2016 12:17 PM

Nothing wrong disciplining the indisciplned. Make sure Police won't be corrupted due this measure.

Arnold Gunawardena Sunday, 13 November 2016 12:27 PM

Mr. Minister you should not bluff this amount is too high to afford. If you wish to minimize road accidents please take some other measures..

Jagath Leanage Sunday, 13 November 2016 12:37 PM

Hats off. Hope and believe you will stick to your word . If can increase further we support you . These private bus drivers are ruthless . We request you to fine Rs 5000 to private busses ,who violate traffic rules .

Lanka Perera Sunday, 13 November 2016 12:48 PM

Ravi, do you actually have a spine...to spell out a budget and change it back sentance by sentace later.

Titsnic Sunday, 13 November 2016 01:08 PM

please monitor the police officers at the end these are the guys will be benifited via DM Android App

Saman Sunday, 13 November 2016 01:08 PM

Only persons who gets a salary hike is Traffic police (of course indirectly) from this budget.

Henry Sunday, 13 November 2016 05:48 PM

well done Mr minister make it 5000 next time so that we will have peace to drive via DM Android App

Yeti Sunday, 13 November 2016 07:05 PM

Then how about cancelling the 30% increase of water bills???

RM Sunday, 13 November 2016 08:39 PM

this is the first statement Ravi K makes sense of since he became FM... tragic but good move via DM Android App

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Minimum traffic fine won’t be changed: Ravi

Comments - 9

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