Speaker of Parliament – Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne endorsed the certificate on the National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill) yesterday (June 19).

This Bill was presented in Parliament on 08th May 2025 to amend several provisions of the National Transport Commission Act, No. 37 of 1991, to update and adapt them to the current needs in order to provide solutions to several practical issues identified in the transport sector and to regulate several transport sectors that are currently not regulated. Accordingly, this Bill was passed after the Second Reading debate in Parliament on 05th June 2025.

Expressing his views on the bill, the Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation – Bimal Ratnayake, said that before the amendment of this bill, the National Transport Commission was only able to regulate interprovincial private bus services.

However, the Minister stated that this bill has been amended in a way that allows the National Transport Commission to regulate school vans, office vans, three-wheelers and other vehicles including goods transport institutions and to establish new institutions required for that purpose.

The Minister further stated that the Amendment Bill will remove the legal obstacle currently preventing the buyer from obtaining ownership when purchasing a bus with a road permit.

Accordingly, this Bill shall come into force as the National Transport Commission (Amendment) Act, No. 8 of 2025.  

Police report that nearly 2,000 individuals have lost their lives in fatal road accidents during the first 06 months of 2025.

He pointed out that January 01 – June 15, 2025, a total of 1,133 fatal accidents were reported, resulting in the deaths of nearly 2,000 individuals.

Speaking at a press briefing held at the Department of Government Information, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police for Traffic Control and Road Safety, Indika Hapugoda has stated that the primary causes of these accidents are unroadworthy vehicles and reckless driving.

He added that 7,152 people suffered serious injuries from road accidents last year, in addition to the fatalities.

DIG Hapugoda further noted that starting July 01, 2025, authorities will begin removing unauthorized and unnecessary vehicle modifications and spare parts, which contribute to traffic hazards.

He further announced that, starting July 1, 2025, authorities will begin removing unauthorized and unnecessary vehicle modifications and spare parts, which contribute to traffic hazards.

Acting IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya states it has been revealed that prisoners who are murder convicts have been released under the Presidential Pardon without proper approval.

This has been revealed during the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) investigations and questioning of Justice Ministry officials.

Police noted that 247 inmates were released in this manner on 03 occasions coinciding with Christmas, Independence Day, and Vesak.

The prisoners have been released between the day documents were submitted for approval and the scheduled release date, claiming that conditions for granting a general amnesty had been met.