Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena has informed Public Security Minister Tiran Alles and Inspector General C.D.Wickremaratne to conduct a formal investigation on the mob attacks and assaults on SLTB bus drivers and conductors in various parts of the country over the past few days and to ensure that the law is strictly enforced against the relevant persons.
Below is the letter sent by Minister Dr.Bandula Gunawardena concerning the immediate cessation of mob attacks and assaults on SLTB bus conductors and drivers.
“The demand for trains and buses has increased rapidly due to the rise in transport costs in the recent past. In order to meet the high demand for buses of the Sri Lanka Transport Board from students travelling to school and employees going to work, 500 new buses have been put into operation under Indian loan schemes and 400 repaired buses have been added to the fleet too.
Some groups working towards narrow objectives of personal profit have begun inhumanly attacking and assaulting drivers and conductors of SLTB buses plying on public transport routes.
“In the past two days, it had been reported that bus drivers and conductors had been injured and hospitalized due to mob attacks in Kurunegala, Ganewatta road and in the Polonnaruwa area.
Even though complaints have been filed against these gangs, some police stations have followed a lenient practice of arresting gangs, so unarmed SLTB workers and depots have gone on strike. As a result, bus services have to be suspended on a large number of roads and passengers including students are greatly affected.
“I hereby request you to kindly inform all police stations in the country under your Ministry, regardless of the type of thug attack on buses and employees, to quickly arrest those attackers, conduct a comprehensive investigation into the matter and implement a speedy programme to bring about justice.
“SLTB belongs to the nation. It’s up to you to save it. I believe that since SLTB is public property, threats, damages and mob attacks against it, come under the Public Property Act. Therefore, if some Officers-In-Charge of police stations do not take action to remand perpetrators without bail for which the possibility exists, I request that you focus your attention on those OICs and incidents.
“As the Transport Minister, I inform you further that if it is proved that private bus owners or their employees are involved in a mob attack, I have instructed the National Transport Commission to take action to revoke the driving license of the said private bus. It would be appreciated if your attention is focused on this matter and relevant authorities including the Inspector General of Police be advised immediately,”the letter said.
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