Crime

Lanka Private Bus Owners' Association (LPBOA) President Gemunu Wijeratne has alleged that not only drivers but also conductors are still using drugs while on duty, particularly along the coastal line. Speaking to the media, he said all types of narcotics, including cannabis and crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as ‘ice,’ are easily available in coastal areas. “People in these areas bring drugs such as ganja and ice onto buses and other vehicles operating along the coastal route,” Wijeratne said. He further claimed that some conductors and drivers earn extra money by withholding passengers’ balance cash, and that this money is often used to fund their drug addictions. According to Wijeratne, buses parked along the coastal line in Kollupitiya, Dehiwala, Moratuwa and towards Kalutara are supplied with drugs by dealers. He also expressed gratitude to the police for taking measures to check buses operating in Colombo.