Public comments

When the spoke with some passengers and bus drivers, Nayana Peries from Thimbirigasyaya said that if it was actually happening, it is a serious situation and added the Transport ministry must monitor this and take necessary action.

Somalatha from Borella said that she was not of the opinion that the bus drivers could not afford to drive big vehicles like buses under influence of drugs. However, she added that the authorities should probe this.

C.H Siriwardane from Avissawella said that it was unbelievable that the drivers and the conductors were addicted to drugs; risking hundreds of people in the process.

“The attention of the authority should be drawn immediately due to the fact that the trend comes at the cost of people’s lives,” Siriwardane said.

A bus conductor of a 138 (Homagama – Pettah), who remained anonymous said that it was true that some drivers and conductors had been addicted to drugs like ice and added it had become a menace to the bus industry.

A bus driver of 04 (Chilaw – Colombo), who also remained anonymous, said that it was a known fact that some conductors were badly addicted to drugs like ganja. He added that not much is reported on drivers being addicted to drugs.

“We have not gone to that extent that we only ‘chew’ betel.

It is extremely risky and hard to drive after consuming alcohol or consuming drugs, he said.

“This has been reported mainly from the buses operating in the Colombo area.

In conclusion, it is fitting to note that according to the research we carried out based on the statement made by Wijeratne, it can be said that there is some truth behind this. Moreover, the purpose of this article is to make the authorities be aware of a circumstance if this trend for drugs and act accordingly. Hence, it is up to the relevant regulatory bodies to look into the matter and take necessary actions to curb this menace.