Various health issues such as hypertension (high blood pressure) and high blood sugar levels are common among bus drivers, and therefore, the services available to address such issues need to be expanded and should look into the multifaceted nature of the causes of these health-related concerns.

Noting this, private bus owners explained that that is a necessity that calls for immediate attention as operating buses involves the lives of passengers.

According to the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association Chairperson Gemunu Wijeratne, to address the said danger, only improving health-related services such as testing services for bus drivers is not adequate. He noted that other health and wellbeing-related issues experienced by bus drivers, such as the lack of services and facilities to rest and fulfil sanitation related needs, are a concern that contributes to the deteriorating health of bus drivers and to increase tension. Bus drivers’ drug use, he stressed, is another issue that needs to be addressed. 

Speaking to The Daily Morning, Wijeratne further expressed concerns about the lack of Governmental interventions with regard to the said issues, adding that since what trade unions can do in this regard is limited due to the lack of resources and authority, Government interventions are crucial. “We can only make suggestions. It is the Government that should take action as it is they who have the power to do something about these issues,” he opined.

He made these remarks when questioned about the media reports which said that a recent health check up of Sri Lanka Transport Board employees including its drivers in Kuliyapitiya had revealed that they were at high risk for hypertension.

The Daily Morning’s attempts to contact the National Council for Road Safety to discuss related matters were not successful.