Final decision of government - 25000 fine for traffic offences ... remain unchanged

Final decision of government - 25000 fine for traffic offences ... remain unchanged

The final decision on the proposed fine of Rs. 25,000 for 7 traffic rules violations which was the root cause for the strike that created an uproar recently was announced this afternoon by cabinet media spokesman Minister Mr. Rajitha Senaratna emphasising that there would be no change in the said fine. The Minister pointed out that the charges on the fine imposed on 2 violations only maybe brought down and further mentioned that the strike was something which was launched for political
reasons. 

"We won't let drivers kill the public. We could envisage that there would be a considerable drop in traffic accidents in future from the date this decision is effected. Before rules relating to overtaking on the left and rules concerning speed limits are enforced, the environment necessary for it would be collocated. After that, those rules will be set in motion", he said. When questioned whether the President gave any promise that he would make a change about this in the final discussion with bus-owners, he said "It's true that the President participated in a discussion with bus-owner societies on Saturday (3) at the parliamentary complex. On that occasion no consent was given to withdraw the proposed fine of Rs. 25,000 for the 7 traffic violations. But in future there is a possibility that there would be a discussion to make a a fair change in the fine concerning overtaking on the left-hand side and speeding. But where other five violations are concerned no consolation could be expected. During the private bus strike the CTB bus 128 was damaged and persons were injured. 128 individuals were taken into custody. 

The bus strike was something which was launched according to a certain political agenda. Most of those bus-owners were involved in poster campaigns of politicians during the last elections, to which effect there is information.