The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has decided to set up a special security fund called the 'COVID19 Relief Insurance Fund' for passengers traveling on SLTB buses.

This comes as Sri Lanka seeks to return to normalcy while the health authorities are still battling a massive outbreak of COVID19. Sri Lankan transport services have come under severe criticism from many quarters for not adhering to health and safety standards during the pandemic outbreak.

The Ceylon Transport Board (CTB) has said that if a passenger is infected with COVID19 while traveling in a SLTB bus, he will be paid Rs. 10,000 as insurance and if any passenger dies due to COVID19 he will be paid Rs. 50,000.

The Transport Board also stated that it is mandatory for passengers to keep their tickets with them to become eligible for this relied fund.

The payment will be made after the COVID19 Task Force, SLTB officials health inspectors and doctors confirm that COVID19 has been infected while travelling on SLTB bus.