21 August 2023 04:09 pm
The Lanka Private Bus Owners' Association (LPBOA) claimed that most of the road accidents were caused by modified private buses.
Addressing the media, LPBOA Chairman Gemunu Wijerathne said the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) has allowed buses to add certain modifications with certain payments.
He said the LPBOA does not accept the proposal by the DMT and will not participate in any meetings held in this regard.
"A letter in this regard was sent to the Transport Ministry secretary, informing him that the LPBOA does not agree with the adding of modifications and decorations such as lights, bus wrappings, fixing horns with higher sounds, fixing sound and TV systems and adding stainless steel items," Wijerathne said.
Most buses use decorations and additional equipment against the law, and these buses cause many road accidents, he said.
"Unfortunately, a meeting was held with several bus owners, sticker companies and the Ministry, and it was decided to grant permission for bus wrappings and to play DJ music at the place where the bus is parked. These buses are like mobile nightclubs," he said.
"Therefore, I made a complaint to the Bribery Commission yesterday against the DMT Commissioner General to conduct an immediate investigation in this regard. We have reasonable doubts whether the DMT Commissioner General received any bribes from the bus sticker companies," he added. (Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama)