Private buses ban beggars

26 April 2010 08:16 am - 56 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Private bus operators have decided to ban begging in private buses from next month, President of the Private Bus Owners Association Gemunu Wijeyratna told reporters today. Gemunu added that a beggar earns approximately Rs. 5000 a day from passengers.

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Comments - 56

Monday, 26 April 2010 10:00 PM

The department of social services should have homes to accommodate the disadvantaged and disabled. People could contribute to these institutions, directly.

Monday, 26 April 2010 12:37 PM

5000/= per day, I am a qualified software engineer with over 10 years experience,holding an MBA as well :(, I only earn 2000 perday.

Monday, 26 April 2010 01:13 PM

Good, it has become a pain in nowadays.

Monday, 26 April 2010 02:36 PM

What if the 'beggar' buys a ticket?

Monday, 26 April 2010 03:05 PM

Poor beggars! They follow the government. If it is ok for gov. to go with the beegging bowl, why not the beggars?

Monday, 26 April 2010 03:41 PM

This is absolutely a good decesion. Thanks. at least the passengers can sit peacefully now. This decision should have been implemented long back from the transport minister and authorities, but they dont think (well they dont care or bother).

Monday, 26 April 2010 04:12 PM

Very good decision and commendable one too. These beggars are professionals in their trade and are great nuisance to the commuter. Good to hear this positive move from Gemunu who is always comes out only to announce bus strikes!

Monday, 26 April 2010 04:18 PM

But what will happen to real beggars.

Monday, 26 April 2010 04:20 PM

5000/- a day, you can't say they are beggers

Monday, 26 April 2010 04:46 PM

BY GETTING A JOB LIKE THE REST OF US!

if they have their limbs and arms whats stopping them? unless they are elderly!

Monday, 26 April 2010 05:05 PM

Latest studies show that 'begging,' these days, is not really the begging we used to know. It is a flourishing industry. Organised gangs, operating within their 'territories,' cheating passers-by of their money, with 'heart warming' stories. I hear that powerful men are associated with these clans and are part of their fraternity. The industry is so big that I feel we should have a minister for the same.

Monday, 26 April 2010 05:43 PM

The wealth of the nation is in too few hands, and no certain means are being provided to keep men from the necessity to beg, borrow or steal ...

Monday, 26 April 2010 07:07 PM

Good move; don't know how long will it last though?

Monday, 26 April 2010 08:18 PM

Well said Gerald, I agree with you. I think it's high time that Sri Lanka legalize both 'BEGGING' and 'PROSTITUTION': two 'professions' whereby both men and women are making large sums of money, without paying any taxes.

Monday, 26 April 2010 12:19 PM

Isn't this discriminatory even though private buses-- it is a public service right?

Tuesday, 27 April 2010 02:40 AM

Hon. President of private bus owners

Please try to provide good bus service to the public and ask bus workers to treat passengers decently

Tuesday, 27 April 2010 03:31 AM

Well done! We should not encourage beggars by giving money…!

Tuesday, 27 April 2010 03:37 AM

if we stop giving, the beggars will also stop asking and find a proper way to earn an income.

Tuesday, 27 April 2010 03:54 AM

This is true! it is not less than 5000 a day ! I am a daily traveler (by bus). I have noticed that a beggar with an average ability to talk and convince people earn more than 80 Rs from a bus , That is just 5-10 mins of work. that is approximately and hourly rate of minimum 500 Rs.

Tuesday, 27 April 2010 04:56 AM

The service that a private bus provides is transportation and not a place where beggars can fleece their victims. So no, it's not discriminatory to refuse them in at all.

Tuesday, 27 April 2010 05:27 AM

Exactly! Ask the conductors to learn how to speak to passengers.

Tuesday, 27 April 2010 05:36 AM

I don't see the point in this. If they want to beg let them. And if an individual want's to tip them do so. The comments are like " We gave them Money, but they did not deserve it" If you don't want to feel bad about paying them, don't pay them. Simple as that.

Tuesday, 27 April 2010 05:43 AM

First the government brought a rule, all buses without electronic ticket issuing machines will be penalised...But nothing happens...still some buses never issue a manual ticket even...
Is there any incident that, a bus owner is penalised for not following the rule...?
never...
In SL all kinds of rules are initiated but no monitoring or actions taken..

Tuesday, 27 April 2010 05:44 AM

A most welcome move. Buses a not places for beggars & lazy louts to make their earnings. They are a nuisance to society. Charity is one thing & encouraging beggary is another & there are other ways to do charity.

Tuesday, 27 April 2010 07:18 AM

perhaps it should be the "begging" which must be banned regardless of the person.

Tuesday, 27 April 2010 07:29 AM

They may be earning Rs 5000 a day but don't forget they have overheads like everybody else. They pay a share to the conductor for letting them in. They also have a designated pitch and a protector to pay.

Tuesday, 27 April 2010 10:33 AM

Here we go again... The know it all's come out of their shell.

Tuesday, 27 April 2010 10:38 AM

Hmmm... who is the smart one?

Monday, 26 April 2010 09:41 AM

Well said. We need to address root cause of begging.

Monday, 26 April 2010 08:26 AM

gamunu saw only one side of the coin

Monday, 26 April 2010 08:28 AM

This is an excellent decision taken by the private bus operators and should be implemented to the very letter. It shouldn't be like issuing tickets and wearing uniforms that faded away within a few months.

Monday, 26 April 2010 08:42 AM

Very Good Decision Sir...

Monday, 26 April 2010 08:42 AM

that's a first. good decisions that is.

Monday, 26 April 2010 09:03 AM

finally, we are getting things right, hope he lasts in the position.

Monday, 26 April 2010 09:03 AM

Mr. Gemunu, Also we expect a good bus service.....put a regulation not to load buses as in lorries....also buses should reach destigations on time and quickly

Monday, 26 April 2010 09:07 AM

Rs5000/- A DAY..??? :-O Looks like begging in buses is a very lucrative business in Sri Lanka..;) With this decision, it will go into a time of recession..

Monday, 26 April 2010 09:08 AM

tax them. beggars can be trained to monitor safety of the people at bus stops. that can make them an extra income and professional license to practice their trade with added value to the society.

Monday, 26 April 2010 09:08 AM

How will beggars earn a living now?

Monday, 26 April 2010 09:09 AM

Decision is good when viewed from passenger side.But they also need to live.WHY doesnt government take action on these poor people in a way of helping them which will reduce the begging in our nation.SPECIALLY in every town a lot of people sleeping in Bus halt etc.WHY can't government give shelter to them????

Monday, 26 April 2010 09:17 AM

In fact, the government must organize rehabilitation centre for beggars, not only create employment for them, but also take immediate actions against the people who are begging on the street.

Monday, 26 April 2010 09:17 AM

5000 A day ! Sha if I only knew this before the Ban.

Monday, 26 April 2010 09:41 AM

Very Good move..

Monday, 26 April 2010 08:23 AM

So, who says beggars cant be choosers. They could very well lead a high life with that sort of daily income.

Monday, 26 April 2010 09:53 AM

Good, now the conductors can earn more money, any way they always say no change money (Coins) and the passenger never gets it. Now you can authorize the conductor to be a demanding beggar in the bus.

Monday, 26 April 2010 09:55 AM

How nice to earn so much without any overheads at all?

Monday, 26 April 2010 10:03 AM

Good move. Most of them are not beggers anyway, just hired to do the job. That said, how about improving the quality of the service? Why not prohibit drivers from keeping the bus with passengers in it idle at halts even when no one is getting off or getting in? You cannot make that prohibition because there are too many busses on certain routes.

Monday, 26 April 2010 10:15 AM

It's a welcome relief.

Monday, 26 April 2010 10:19 AM

Gemunu my friend how do you identify a beggar ?

Monday, 26 April 2010 10:31 AM

They don't get to keep much money. There are gangs that control beggars. People in the bus do not complain. We cannot find true beggas. Might as well give money to anyone that crosses our path.

Monday, 26 April 2010 10:57 AM

There will be a tsunami of beggars by next year, when the euphoria of the war is over, and the cost of living sky rockets, with 99% of the budget being in the hands of a single family. ONE HORSE RACE, DEAR FRIENDS.

Monday, 26 April 2010 10:57 AM

Welcome decision.

Monday, 26 April 2010 11:04 AM

Charge them some amount and provide facilities to passengers like a free meal on long journeys.

Monday, 26 April 2010 11:16 AM

have you people seen any beggars,,have fun at KARAOKE BAR'S...with cute ladies.....?

Monday, 26 April 2010 11:37 AM

They are, but you can not recognize them at Karaoke bars.

Monday, 26 April 2010 12:08 PM

its very unfair and unhuman, they are not a bother to any one,most of them are genuine, and the public does not give everybody other than the needfull and deserving whos bright Idea

Monday, 26 April 2010 12:09 PM

GOOD . CAUSE SOMETIMES WE CAANOT IDENTIFY THEM FROM THE CONDUCTOR.

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Private buses ban beggars

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