Seat belt use will effectively become mandatory for passengers travelling in all vehicles on Sri Lanka’s expressways from Sept. 19, with the requirement being extended to passengers using public transport buses.
The National Transport Commission (NTC) announced that seat belt use in public passenger buses operating on expressways will be compulsory from Sept. 19.
Authorities can take legal action against buses that are not equipped with seat belts, as well as drivers and passengers who fail to use the seat belts provided.
The move means passengers travelling on expressways, including those using public buses, will be required to wear seat belts.
An awareness programme was conducted at the Peliyagoda Expressway entrance, where NTC officials distributed information to bus passengers on the new requirement.
NTC Chairman P.K. Chandrapala said implementation of the measure had previously been postponed for various reasons but confirmed it would be enforced from Sept. 19.
The NTC said fines or other legal action could be taken for violations and that further awareness programmes would be conducted ahead of enforcement. (Newswire)