President Maithripala Sirisena has directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to hand over him a weekly report about the VIP vehicles, which violate road rules.
It was revealed by President Sirisena at the ‘Parissamin Gihin Enna’ National Road Safety Program, held yesterday (Dec. 01) at the Independence Square.
We discussed at the cabinet meeting about the vehicles of the powerful persons which are driven on roads in a reckless manner, and with escorts, even though the fear of terrorists has ended. We should discuss whether the people who travel by those vehicles really are important persons. We discussed about the ways to take legal actions against them”, he said.
“After I get the report from the IGP, I will personally attend to this matter by bringing the persons who are responsible for that and question them”, the President further said.
“The examples on the laws on road safety should be given from top to bottom. The people from all sectors should help to make these kinds of programs successful”, he pointed out.
The President further stated that the people should not be against the actions taken by the government to protect the laws on road safety as the health sector spends a large amount of money for the health services for accident victims. “It is harmful for the development of the country.”
He also pointed out that the main reason for the road traffic is the delays in development of the public transport service. “The government will be committed to strengthen the public transport service”, he added.
“The people of this country are aware of the laws on road safety but they do not follow them. Pedestrians as well as drivers should follow those laws.”
The President presented a cheque worth Rs. 10 million to the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation for the program sponsored by the SLRC to promote the national road safety, covering all districts.
Ven. Iththepane Dhammalankara Thero, Ministers Patali Champika Ranawaka, Gayantha Karunanayake and IGP Pujitha Jayasundara also participated.