5. Amendment of section 8 of the principal enactment

Official English translation. Where it differs from the Sinhala or Tamil text, the Act itself says which text prevails.

Section 8 of the principal enactment is hereby amended as follows: -

(1)

by the substitution for the words “advise to the

Government on the national policy relating to passenger transport services by omnibuses,”, of the words “advise the Government on the national policy relating to road transportation,”;

(2)

in paragraph (i) thereof by the substitution for the words “in the speciﬁ ed area;”, of the words “in the speciﬁ ed area and to issue transportation service permits for transportation services other than omnibus services;”;

(3)

by the repeal of paragraph (k) thereof and the substitution therefor of the following paragraph:-

“(k) to enter into agreements with any person for the provision of omnibus services and transportation services and to issue passenger service permits and transportation service permits thereof;”;

(4)

by the repeal of paragraph (m) thereof and the substitution therefor of the following paragraph: -

“(m) to arrange the transportation of goods interprovincially by omnibus services and transportation services;”; and

(5)

by the addition immediately after paragraph (m)

thereof of the following new paragraphs: -

“(n) to formulate a road transportation guideline at national level;

(o)

to determine a formula to charge transportation fares after considering the written representations of the relevant stakeholders and to periodically assess the national policy relating to road transportation and revise such formula when necessary;

(p)

to promote and regulate the use of modern technological systems to upgrade the transportation system;

(q)

to facilitate the provision of infrastructure facilities relating to transportation services;

(r)

to maintain a national database for transportation services and to monitor the services provided by the transportation service providers;

(s)

to establish a training centre to train transportation service providers;

(t)

to issue directions to any person to whom a permit has been issued or renewed under this

Act;

(u)

to appoint sub-committees to assist in the activities of the Commission;

(v)

to review the national policy relating to road transportation annually and to advise the

Government on legal, administrative or other matters relating to such policy;

(w)

to consult the relevant Ministries, Provincial

Councils, Local Authorities, District and

Divisional Secretaries, public and private sector organizations and recommend such measures as may be necessary for the purpose of preventing road accidents, and to upgrade the transportation services for protecting and safeguarding the interests of passengers;

(x)

to receive complaints from the public relating to any contravention of the provisions of this

Act or any regulation made thereunder; and

(y)

to give wide publicity to matters regulated under section 44, as may be necessary for the convenience of any applicant, passenger, holder of a permit or certiﬁ cate, or for the efﬁ cient administration of the Act.”.

Read on from s 6