10 out of 56 bus drivers tested positive for drugs during a random check

Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways, Prasanna Gunasekara, stated that out of 56 bus drivers tested in the newly launched mobile laboratory testing program targeting passenger transport bus drivers, ten were confirmed to have used drugs. This special operation was launched on January 22 with the aim of identifying bus drivers and conductors who drive under the influence of drugs.

The first phase of this program was centered around the Bastian Mawatha private bus stand in Colombo, where a randomly selected group of drivers was tested. Preliminary findings from the urine samples revealed the use of drugs such as Ice, heroin, and cannabis, and authorities have taken steps to initiate further legal action against these drivers.

The Deputy Minister pointed out that such a large number of people being addicted to drugs, even from a small number of random tests, is a very serious and complex situation. It has also been observed that some drivers attempted to avoid the routes where tests were being conducted by exchanging information through various communication methods.

The government emphasizes that bus owners and the public must provide strong support to make this safety program successful. Although this testing program for bus drivers has currently been launched in the Western Province, the Ministry of Transport has decided to implement it island-wide without any prior notice in the future and to increase its frequency.