The driver of a SLTB bus, which was carrying 58 passengers from Urkavatura in Jaffna to Jaffna, was arrested last night (24) for being under the influence of alcohol.
He was presented to the Urkavatura court and fined 30,000 rupees with a government fee of 3,000 rupees. The magistrate suspended his driving license for one year.
Passengers on the bus had noticed the driver’s drunken state and immediately alerted the police. The authorities stopped the bus and confirmed that the driver was unfit to operate the vehicle.
The driver was then taken to a local hospital for a medical assessment, and the report from the hospital was submitted to the court.
The driver pleaded guilty and was subsequently sentenced.
The manager of the Northern Province Traffic Board has initiated a disciplinary investigation and suspended the driver involved in the incident.
