Sri Lanka expands mobile drug testing for public transport workers
The Ministry of Health today (August 10) handed over another fully equipped mobile drug testing bus to strengthen checks on public transport workers and improve road safety in Sri Lanka.
The clinical bus, bearing registration number PZA-0040, was officially handed over by Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa to National Transport Medical Institute Chairman Professor Clifford Perera at the Ministry of Health premises.
The new bus is expected to further expand the mobile drug testing programme carried out under the two-year strategic plan of the National Road Safety Programme launched by the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development.
Under the programme, drivers, conductors and driver assistants involved in public transport are tested to determine whether they have used drugs while on duty.
The programme is currently operating across five provinces, while the National Transport Medical Institute plans to extend it to the remaining provinces as the required physical and human resources are gradually developed.
So far, 7,150 tests have been carried out under the national random drug testing programme, which was introduced to improve transport safety and protect lives and property.
Through cooperation between several ministries, the authorities also expect to implement short-, medium- and long-term measures aimed at reducing deaths and property damage caused by road accidents in Sri Lanka.
Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, Additional Secretaries to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media Janaka Kithsiri Gunawardena, Consultant Dr. Kumara Wickramasinghe and Harshani Sirinama, Director of Transport Muditha Wimalasena, Kattankudy Hospital Medical Superintendent M.S.M. Jabir, and several officials representing the Ministry of Health and Mass Media and the National Transport Medical Institute attended the event.
