A high-level discussion on regulating school student transport services was held on February 9 at the Prime Minister’s Office under the patronage of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, officials from the National Transport Commission Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Education Sri Lanka took part in the meeting.
With regulatory authority over school student transport now vested in the National Transport Commission, discussions focused on provisions contained in the already-prepared draft regulations, along with new proposals to be incorporated.
Attention was also given to addressing emerging transport needs linked to schools, minimizing challenges faced by students through an organized transport mechanism, and strengthening the “Sisu Sariya” school transport service in line with the ongoing education reforms.
Participants further discussed introducing laws and regulations to systematize school transport, prioritizing child protection by preventing incidents of abuse and harassment, and improving professionalism among transport service providers to ensure responsible and accountable services.
Emphasis was also placed on coordinated action among the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Sri Lanka, the National Transport Commission, the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, and the National Child Protection Authority Sri Lanka.
The discussion was attended by Minister of Transport Bimal Rathnayake, Chairman of the National Transport Commission P. A. Chandrapala, along with officials from the National Transport Commission and the Ministry of Education.
