Government to Expand Mobile Drug Testing Programme for Public Transport Drivers

The Ministry of Transport and Highways has announced plans to expand its mobile drug testing programme for bus drivers and conductors across the country as part of efforts to improve public transport safety.

Speaking at a media briefing held at the Ministry (July 8), Chairman of the National Transport Medical Institute, Professor Clifford Perera, said that since the programme was launched in November last year, 5,242 drivers and conductors in the Western Province have been tested.

Of those tested, 239 were found to have used narcotics and were referred for legal action.

Professor Perera said the programme will be doubled in scale before the end of the year and extended to other provinces beyond the Western Province.

He emphasised that ensuring drug-free driving is critical to reducing road accidents, fatalities, and disabilities, adding that the initiative is intended not only to enforce the law but also to promote safer driving practices.

Also addressing the media, Chairman of the Western Province Road Passenger Transport Authority, Gamini Jasinghe, said around 11,000 drivers and conductors are engaged in passenger transport services in the province. He noted that while the majority are not involved in drug use, the programme is designed to identify those who are.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the National Council on Road Safety, Manjula Kularatne, said the mobile drug testing unit was introduced as a long-term component of the national road safety strategy.

He added that more than 15,000 drug screening checks have already been conducted nationwide, and the programme will continue to expand to help safeguard lives and property.