How Sri Lanka's public transport sector crashed!

Despite repeated revelations of importing lorry chassis for public transport, successive governments have turned a blind eye to this issue, reportedly in place of obtaining financial gains.

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The issue of substandard public transport seems to have continued over successive regimes, taking a toll on passengers each year. On the other hand, the number of accidents that takes place on a daily basis speaks volumes about lapses in implementing a national road safety action plan under one authority, imposing fines and charging individuals found guilty of violating traffic rules. Even though the incumbent government recently appointed a Presidential Task Force on Road Safety, expert groups have expressed their disappointment over not being able to meet with the President to discuss feasible solutions to minimise road accidents.

History of importing lorry chassis for buses

The Daily Mirror sat down for a conversation with the man who first identified a consignment of lorry chassis imported from India to be assembled as buses for public transport. Having joined Sri Lanka Customs in 1978, as a Customs Officer (Class II), Dr. Ranjan Dantanarayana gradually rose up the ranks until he served as a Director of Customs prior to his retirement in 2014. Between 1993 and 1997, Dantanarayana served as Superintendent of Customs (Classification). He explained it as the most important job role at the Customs office, which included determining correct duty rates, identifying goods and classifying them into respective HS Codes recommended by the World Customs Organization.