By: Isuru Parakrama
May 04, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has taken a firm stance on the recent controversy surrounding the unauthorised parking of buses on the Southern Expressway during the National People’s Power (NPP) May Day mobilisation.
Speaking during a televised interview aired last night, the President denounced the incident, asserting that such conduct should never have occurred and warrants immediate disciplinary action.
The matter drew public attention after a large number of buses, reportedly transporting NPP supporters to Colombo, were found halted along the high-speed expressway, raising significant safety concerns and causing considerable disruption to traffic.
President Dissanayake did not mince his words in criticising the lapse in protocol, declaring that any breach of the law — regardless of political affiliation — must be addressed without hesitation.
He underscored the importance of accountability, stating that responsibility must be shared not only by the bus drivers but also by law enforcement personnel who permitted the action, and by the NPP organisers who facilitated the transport arrangements.
“This is something that must not have happened,” he said, expressing his disapproval of the lapse in coordination and discipline.
As part of a wider internal review, Dissanayake revealed that every bus commissioned for the May Day event had been assigned a dedicated organiser. He confirmed that he had requested a full list of these individuals, particularly those overseeing the buses in question, in order to determine whether they had violated transport regulations or knowingly disregarded lawful instructions.
The President’s reiterated his commitment to uphold the rule of law and maintain public confidence in governance, even within his own political movement.
His response appears aimed not only at addressing the specific incident but also at sending a clear signal that public safety and regulatory compliance are paramount, regardless of political objectives or the scale of public events.
