Minister of Transport Bimal Rathnayake has announced that CCTV systems will be made mandatory for school transport vans, as part of a broader effort to improve safety and discipline in public transport.
Addressing Parliament today, he stated that harassment against women and children in transport settings has increased, and that the government is taking steps to minimize such incidents.
He further revealed that a set of guidelines for school and office transport services will be introduced starting in January.
“The only real solution is to empower passengers. If anyone attempts to harass a woman or a child, we need people who will not look away, but people who will take action. Whether male or female, we need that courage,” he said.
He acknowledged that due to certain toxic conditions in the bus industry, many people are afraid to speak up for others.
“That’s why we must professionalize the bus industry. We must also elevate the three-wheeler industry to a professional level. I believe our effort is to move the orange zone away from red and toward green,” he added. (Newswire)