Buses without permits to be fined Rs. 200,000

Thursday, 24 November 2016 00:23 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

In an effort to tighten laws against buses plied without a valid passenger service license, Cabinet has approved a fine increase from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 200,000 and the presentation of the relevant Amendment to Parliament.

Cabinet has already approved increasing the minimum fine charged by a Magistrate’s Court from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 200,000 for running a bus without the valid passenger service permit. The proposal made by Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva to present the National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill in Parliament, drafted for providing provisions for the above purpose by amending article 40 of the National Transport Commission Act No 37 of 1991, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Earlier this week, Government decided seven major traffic violations would have their fines increased to Rs. 25,000. Traffic offences of drunk driving, driving without vehicle insurance, driving without valid license, overtaking from the left side, speeding, driving illegally at a railway crossing and allowing someone to driving without a valid license were the selected violations. (UJ)