Following multiple reports of students being denied transport services on the A9 road in Sri Lanka, the head of the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has issued a statement guaranteeing that no student will be refused transport and will be given priority in the future. The SLTB was summoned to the Human Rights Council after journalists highlighted reports of students in the Mullaitivu district, Mankulam, Panikulam, Kizhavankulam, and Thirumurukandi facing issues in attending school due to lack of transport services. Despite the SLTB's initial orders to give priority to students, reports continued to emerge of students being denied access to buses.
The Human Rights Commission in Jaffna launched an investigation and issued an order to the SLTB to immediately investigate and submit a statement regarding the incidents. The head of the SLTB in the Northern Province took appropriate action and conveyed the changes to bus stands across the region. The SLTB's report stated that bus stands were ordered to give priority to students during service hours on September 19th and November 14th, 2022. The report warned that future complaints would result in disciplinary action against the respective bus drivers and conductors.
Despite the SLTB's assurances, journalists continued to report on incidents of students being denied access to buses. The head of the SLTB was summoned to the Human Rights Council on May 3rd to address the ongoing issue. During the inquiry, the head of the SLTB confirmed that despite communication of the policy changes, incidents of students being denied transport services continued to occur. The SLTB has informed all respective bus services to give priority to students and warned of disciplinary action against non-compliant drivers and conductors.