Local

Driver and conductor suspended over ‘Sisu Sariya’ school bus incident

Friday, 04 July 2025 - 6:04 pm

The National Transport Commission (NTC) has suspended both the driver and conductor of a ‘Sisu Sariya’ school bus (NA-7668) after they were found responsible for a recent incident where a student fell from the footboard while the bus was in motion.

The incident occurred yesterday (03) while the bus was transporting students from the Metibokka area to Sir John Kotelawala College in Kurunegala.

Soon after the incident was reported to the Weste Province Road Passenger Transport Authority, officials contacted the injured student and his father. A preliminary inquiry revealed that the accident had resulted from the careless operation of the bus by both the driver and conductor.

Accordingly, the NTC decided to suspend the services of both staff members, pending a full investigation which commenced today.

In an official statement, the NTC confirmed that the investigation had initially found both individuals to have acted negligently, leading to the student’s fall.

Following these findings, the Road Passenger Transport Authority of the North Weste Province issued a letter formalizing the suspension. Meanwhile, acting on the instructions of the Minister of Transport, another driver and conductor have been assigned to the bus to ensure the uninterrupted transportation of students.