Public transport drivers will be required to obtain a “Public Transport License” by December 31, Transport and Highways Minister Bimal Rathnayake announced yesterday (20) at a meeting in Ampara.
The minister said arrangements are already being made to introduce the license, which will be mandatory for all public transport drivers by the end of this year.
Commenting further, Minister Rathnayake said the decision aims to ensure passenger safety, noting that drivers must be responsible and properly regulated. He stressed that only serious and qualified individuals should be entrusted with passenger transport.
The minister also highlighted the mandatory seat belt rule, pointing out that while some buses were manufactured without seat belts, modifications could be made to ensure compliance. He criticized drivers who try to evade the law by pretending to wear seat belts using school bag straps, adding that such individuals are unfit to carry passengers.