A youth was allegedly assaulted by a group led by a private bus driver and conductor after questioning their actions and raising concerns about passenger safety and regulatory violations.
The incident involved bus ND3993, operating on route 255 (Kottawa–Mount Lavinia) yesterday (24). According to the youth, identified as Chesika Gunarathne, the bus, which left Kottawa between 6.45 p.m. and 7.00 p.m., reached Piliyandala around 7.20 p.m. and inexplicably parked there for nearly half an hour, causing frustration among passengers.
In a social media post following the assault, Gunarathne claimed that when passengers questioned the delay, the conductor dismissed them, threatening, “If you can’t wait, get off the bus.” Dissatisfied with this response, Gunarathne confronted the conductor and pointed out several violations, including:
- Unnecessary parking delays.
- Failure to issue valid tickets to passengers.
- Absence of the mandatory Road Passenger Transport Authority sticker with emergency contact numbers.
- Lack of notices displaying the driver’s and conductor’s names, registration numbers, and bus fare cycle.
- Non-display of the bus number inside the vehicle.
- Threatening and inconveniencing passengers.
After Gunarathne mentioned plans to report these issues to the Passenger Transport Authority, the situation escalated dramatically.
As the bus continued towards Mount Lavinia, it stopped at Katubedda Junction, where the driver and conductor, joined by a group including the crew from another bus (ND5997), allegedly attacked Gunarathne. The five-person assault left him with injuries to his head, neck, and hands.
Attempts by other passengers to intervene were reportedly met with threats of violence. Gunarathne claimed the bus owner, who was also the driver, issued a chilling threat: “Both buses are mine. Go wherever you want and complain.”
Following the assault, the group allegedly pursued Gunarathne with their buses. When he attempted to flag down another vehicle for help, he was blocked from boarding.
A bystander eventually stepped in, offering to accompany Gunarathne to the Mount Lavinia Police to file a complaint. The injured youth is now receiving treatment at Kalubowila Teaching Hospital.
Gunarathne has lodged complaints with the Mount Lavinia Police, the Western Provincial Road Passenger Transport Authority, the National Transport Commission, and the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL).
