5 May 2021 02:21 pm
The Government bears the full responsibility of providing public transportation in the country, despite the pandemic situation, Transport State Minister Dilum Amunugama said.
He said the laws have been strictly in place prohibiting buses carrying passengers above the seating capacity in both private and Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) buses violating COVID health regulations,
With the implementation of the laws, not a single bus operator is allowed to carry passengers exceeding seating capacity.
After assuming duties as the State Minister of Community Police Services today in addition to the current portfolio as the Transport State Minister, he said a gazette notification had been issued regarding public transportation.
"As mentioned in the gazette notification, transporting passenger exceeding the seating capacity is a violation of health guidelines. The police department also instructed to check such violations. Earlier, the law was not implemented properly. Flying Squad officers in the National Transport Commission (NTC) and the Transport Authority couldn't handle the situation alone as they had limited workforce. Therefore, the police involvement was solicited.
"As I am the state Minister of the Transport and Community Police Services, the task to get there is easy," State Minister Amunugama said.
He said there is an acute shortage of private buses due to a lack of passengers. "52 drivers and conductors working for the SLTB were tested positive with COVIDa. The Ministry had decided to convert the Kalutara Drivers' Training school to a COVID treatment centre by next week," the Minister said.
"After the COVID third wave, more than 40 bus route permits had to be cancelled due to carrying passengers exceeding seating capacity. About five or six SLTB employees had to be interdicted for allowing standees in the buses," the State Minister added. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)