The Hon. Manjula Suraweera Arachchi

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, today we debate the Bill to amend the National Transport Commission Act, No. 37 of 1991—34 years after enactment—at a time when countries modernize public transport systems to meet contemporary global standards. I welcome the opportunity to contribute to updating our transport system and addressing long-standing problems.

¶ 02 Sri Lanka introduced bus services for passenger transport in 1907 with private buses. On 1 January 1958, bus services became a public enterprise under Ceylon Transport Board (CTB). Over roughly 118 years, the system saw numerous changes with both state and private sectors attempting to address public needs, but without a sustained, scientific, development-oriented approach. As a result, transport has become a national grievance.

¶ 03 From 1958–1977 it was the Ceylon Transport Board; 1977–1983 the Regional Transport Boards; 1983–1991 again the CTB; 1991–1997 as the People’s Transport Service; thereafter cluster bus companies, and further changes around 2005. Today, we have a mixed system: roughly 60% private buses and 40% SLTB buses. Recent history leaves the public with painful memories of inefficiency and suffering instead of service.

¶ 04 Women face harassment; time is wasted; operations lack order; and dangerous competition occurs—even fights between SLTB and private crews on the road. Our amendments aim to modernize across buses, three-wheelers, and school vans to align with global standards, and many details have been presented.

¶ 05 A recent tragedy in my Nuwara Eliya District, near Gerandi Ella close to Ramboda on the Nuwara Eliya–Gampola main road, claimed 23 lives. This sensitive incident offers painful lessons relevant to reforms we seek. The Hon. Prime Minister, the Hon. Minister of Transport Bimal Rathnayake, the State Minister of Transport, our Education Minister for Nuwara Eliya, Hon. Anushka Thilakaratne, the Hon. Deputy Speaker, and the Hon. Speaker all intervened swiftly to ensure such a tragedy is not repeated, initiating policy and practical measures.

¶ 06 A report by the area DIG and police team highlights critical concerns: narrow, steep, winding roads without proper standards, guardrails, or signage, among many deficiencies. The report notes the bus carried about 81 passengers; many were asleep; the vehicle leaned and drifted rightward before the curve; CCTV corroborates; and the driver had driven about 5 hours 45 minutes at night after minimal rest. Fatigue and overconfidence on a familiar route likely led to momentary eye closure, loss of control, and the plunge. The report explicitly states this was not the sole responsibility of the driver, but resulted from poor road standards and inadequate driver rest, among other factors.

¶ 07 Annually, around 30,000 road accidents occur; 2,500–3,000 deaths result. We need durable solutions and better control. I propose: - Establish robust inspection mechanisms for passenger transport vehicles. - Mandate proper rest periods and duty schedules for drivers. - Introduce technological monitoring of drivers and fleets. - Reduce on-road competition among buses through proper management.

¶ 08 We must also ensure vehicles used as “buses” are genuine bus chassis meeting standards. Many current vehicles are truck chassis with bodies mounted—this is unacceptable. We must induct modern buses suitable for today’s needs and maintain existing fleets properly. Long-distance services through hills must have relief drivers; a single driver over ~300 km of mountainous terrain is unsafe.

¶ 09 Unfortunately, some in the Opposition used this debate to attack the Justice Minister and stray off-topic. I respectfully request all to support this Bill to improve our transport system.