Government to Impose a Fine of Rs 5,000 on Beggars…….

The Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) has called on the government to impose a fine of Rs 5,000 on beggars and vendors operating inside passenger buses.

LPBOA President Gemunu Wijeratne said,  that although beggars and vendors are outlawed inside public transport the relevant law has not been effectively applied and the offenders are allowed to go scot-free while the commuters and the bus operators are inconvenienced.

“According to No 14 of 1951 of the Motor Traffic Act it is prohibited to involve in begging and trading inside public buses.

However, this law is often violated. Although many amendments were brought in to the Motor Traffic Act, none of the amendments mention about a fine for beggars and vendors inside buses,” added Wijeratne.

He further noted due to the failure of the government to introduce a law to impose a fine on the beggars and vendors the bus operators have becomes helpless.

The government will soon have to introduce amendments to the Motor Traffic Act to increase the fine for serious traffic offenses such as drunk driving to Rs 25000 and suggested a fine of Rs 5000 on beggars and traders operating inside buses.