16-20 per cent passenger bus drivers are drunk or drugged: Transport Minister

• Passengers urged to report drivers under influence via WhatsApp 
• urges private bus owners to take  responsibility for their staff

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya 

As many as 16-20 per cent of passenger bus drivers operate under the influence of alcohol or narcotics, posing a threat to public safety, a Minister said. 

The Transport Ministry has launched a stringent new campaign to tackle substance use among public transport staff. 

Speaking to the media, Minister Rathnayake revealed that while the driving profession is a respectable and vital part of the nation’s economy, it is being tarnished by a minority of individuals. He said that approximately 16% to 20% of bus drivers operate vehicles under the influence of narcotics or alcohol, posing a severe threat to public safety.   

“Driving is a highly honourable profession, but when someone takes the wheel after using drugs, they are not just driving; they are endangering lives,” the Minister said. He highlighted grim statistics from 2025, stating that out of nearly 2,700 fatal road accidents, a significant majority involved ordinary citizens, including pedestrians and motorcyclists, whose families are often left economically destitute. 

The Minister issued a stern warning to private bus owners, urging them to take immediate responsibility for their staff. “Do not let your business be filled with drug addicts. If a driver or conductor is using drugs, remove them or direct them to rehabilitation programmes!” he asked. He said that the law will show no leniency towards those caught driving under the influence, stating that risking the lives of 50 to 100 passengers is “extremely unfair.”

To combat this, Minister Rathnayake said that the Ministry has introduced rapid testing measures that can deliver results in just three minutes. 

The Ministry is also offering to deploy mobile medical laboratory units to bus depots and companies free of charge to screen employees, a service already being rolled out at Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) depots. 

In a move to empower commuters, the Minister requested passengers to be vigilant. “We have displayed WhatsApp numbers on buses. If you suspect that a driver or conductor is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you don’t need to make a scene. Just send us a WhatsApp message with the bus number, and we will take immediate action,” Rathnayake said.