rights4 min read

Know Your Rights as a Commuter in Sri Lanka

Understand passenger legal protections, conductor obligations, and how to hold operators accountable.

Essential Key Points

Every passenger is legally entitled to a printed/valid ticket for fare paid.
Overloading past designated footboards and standing limits violates NTC regulations.
Any physical or verbal sexual harassment violates Section 345 of the Sri Lanka Penal Code.
Bus operators cannot arbitrarily refuse boarding along designated route halts.

1. The Right to Physical Safety and Respect

Under Sri Lankan law and National Transport Commission (NTC) statutory standards, all public transport providers must ensure safe passage. Harassment on public transport is a recognized criminal offense under Section 345 of the Penal Code.

Actionable Steps:

✓Always note down the bus registration plate (e.g. WP NA-XXXX) or train engine number.
✓Keep tickets as official proof of travel and time of transit.

2. Conductor & Crew Legal Duties

Bus crew are legally prohibited from encouraging footboard riding, using abusive language toward passengers, or operating sound systems at hazardous volumes.

Witnessed or Experienced an Incident?

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