Buses to display destination boards in three languages

Irangika RANGE

The destination boards of private and SLTB buses must be displayed in all three languages from next month.

A circular issued by the Private Transport Services Ministry has directed provincial transport authorities to take immediate action to make it compulsory for private and CTB buses to display destination boards in Sinhala, Tamil and English languages. "This decision was made following a complaint made to the Human Rights Commission that most destination boards of buses in the country are displayed in Sinhala language which had inconvenienced to people of other communities," a ministry Spokesman said.

He said the Human Rights Commission has ordered transport authorities to comply with this regulation by April 13. Accordingly, it will be made compulsory for all private and SLTB buses belonging to the normal, semi luxury,luxury and super luxury categories currently to adhere to this rule.

Therefore, all SLTB and private buses operating on inter provincial routes and long distance private buses (inter-provincial level) will have to display their destination boards in all three languages from April 13.