The United Drivers’ Union states that there are currently more than 3,000 vacancies for drivers in central government institutions, it was reported.

The union has explained that this shortage has created numerous problems within the state driver service.

Union President U.A. Lakshman said that while 23,400 drivers are required to serve in government institutions, at present, only a little over 20,000 are in service.

He noted that this situation has arisen because drivers have not been properly recruited to central government institutions since 2016.

Due to the existing vacancies, some institutions have even had to withdraw vehicles from operation, while drivers in service are compelled to work significant overtime beyond their daily duty hours, he added.

However, he pointed out that overtime payments are made only for a limited number of hours.

According to standard procedure, drivers should be transferred to another service station after five years, but in some institutions, drivers have been working continuously for 10 to 12 years, which has caused serious injustice to them, the union president said.

He further stated that the number of vacancies has increased due to retirements, and urged that a program be prepared to expedite the recruitment of drivers in view of the current situation. (Newswire)

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The Colombo High Court has ordered the release on bail of a driver who had been in remand custody for nearly a year in connection with the alleged murder of a female lawyer residing in Mirihana.

The order was issued by High Court Judge Lal Bandara yesterday (27) following the review of a bail application submitted by Attorney-at-Law Jayaba Kalupahana on behalf of the suspect.

Accordingly, the suspect was granted a cash bail of Rs. 500,000 and three sureties of Rs. 100,000 each. The judge also prohibited the suspect from travelling abroad without court permission, imposing an overseas travel ban.

As part of the bail conditions, the suspect must report to the Mirihana Police on the last Sunday of every month. The judge further stated that if any of these conditions are violated, the bail will be revoked and the suspect will be remanded again.

The suspect, a resident of Kirinda, Puhulwella, had served as the driver of the deceased lawyer and was remanded following his arrest by Mirihana Police in connection with her murder on September 21, 2024. The victim, a 36-year-old lawyer who had been separated from her spouse, was allegedly killed at her residence.

Attorney Jayaba Kalupahana, appearing for the suspect, informed the court that his client had worked as the victim’s driver for about two years and later developed a romantic relationship with her. The suspect is accused of committing the murder out of rage after the victim attempted to end the relationship.

The attorney further argued that under Section 16 of the Bail Act, the maximum remand period for such an offence is 12 months, and the suspect has already been in custody for 12 months and 2 days, making him eligible for bail.

However, the state counsel strongly opposed the bail request, stating that the Attorney General has decided to file direct indictments against the suspect in the High Court. She argued that releasing the suspect on bail before the indictment could interfere with the proceedings and obstruct justice.

In response, the defence attorney stated that there was no evidence suggesting his client had influenced or threatened any witnesses. He requested that the suspect be released on bail under any suitable conditions.

After considering all submissions, the High Court Judge issued the bail order. (Newswire)

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The Kantale Chief Magistrate’s Court has sentenced to two months of rigorous imprisonment a school bus driver who was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. 

Kantale Chief Magistrate D.P.G. Sandhareka further suspended the licence of the driver for a period of one year and also imposed a fine of Rs. 30,000 on the accused, a 38-year-old resident of Ella.

The driver had been found drunk while transporting schoolchildren from Ella to Trincomalee on an educational tour this week. 

The bus had been inspected by a Police mobile patrol unit in Thambalagamuwa, during which the driver was found to be drunk.

The officers had arrested him on the spot and provided another driver for the children to continue with their tour. (Newswire)

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The driver of a ‘Sisuseriya’ school bus has been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol while transporting a group of children in the Katupotha area last afternoon.

According to the Police, the man was arrested during an inspection conducted by the Katupotha Police to detect traffic violations. 

The Police said at the time of the arrest, 16 school children and two mothers were in the bus, adding that the bus had been taken into Police custody. 

The driver, a 52-year-old resident of Katupotha, was arrested yesterday and is due to be produced before the Narammala Magistrate’s Court today. (Newswire)

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The driver of the late former State Minister Sanath Nishantha, who was killed in a motor accident in January, has been granted bail.

The Welisara Magistrate’s Court released the driver on a surety of Rs. 500,000 today. 

Former State Minister Sanath Nishantha and his security officer were killed in an accident on the Colombo – Katunayake Expressway on January 25, 2024. 

The driver of the vehicle, who survived the accident, was later arrested and remanded. (NewsWire)

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The driver of the late State Minister Sanath Nishantha has revealed details of the recent fatal accident in which the politician was killed.

According to Ada Derana, the driver had revealed that the group was attempting to reach Colombo as soon as possible, during which time Sanath Nishantha had been asleep in the vehicle.

“On the highway, I overtook a car from the left side. While I was attempting to move the Jeep to the right lane, I collided with a container that was travelling in front. I lost control of the Jeep which stopped after crashing onto the barrier,” he said. 

Prabhath Eranga, who is receiving treatment at the Colombo North Teaching Hospital in Ragam divulged details of the accident during interrogations by the Police. 

Investigations have also revealed that the vehicle had been travelling at a speed of 160 kmph at the time of the accident.

According to reports, hospital sources revealed that former State Minister Sanath Nishantha had sustained serious injuries to his head and right leg in the accident. 

Sanath Nishantha lies in state at the Jayaratne Funeral Parlour in Borella for the public to pay their last respects.

The remains of the late State Minister are planned to be taken to his residence in Puttalam later today. (NewsWire)

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