Governance Report 2011 - Transparency International Sri Lanka

Table 3: Administrative institutions of the transport sector
Institutions
Departments:
• Department of Motor Traffic (DMT)
• Sri Lanka Railway (SLR)
Statutory bodies:
• Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB)
• National Transport Commission (NTC)
Responsibilities
• Registration and licensing of vehicles.
• Issue of driving licences
• Passenger and freight transport by rail
• Public road transport service
• Regulate private omnibus transport
Public enterprises:
• National Transport Medical Institute
(NTMI)
• Examine the physical and psychological
fitness of applicants prior to issuing driving
licences for heavy vehicles.
Source: Ministry of Transport. 26
The NTC which was set up in 1991 is considered the national regulator of bus
transportation. Its main function is to “advise the government on the national
policy relating to passenger transport services by omnibuses”. 27 The National
Transport Policy details the “interventions of government in ensuring that
existing and potential mobility needs within the country for passengers and
goods transport are satisfied safely, cost-effectively and causing least impact
on the environment and resources”. 28
Other than for the national-level regulators, Sri Lanka also has a network
of regional-level regulators for bus transportation. Regulatory power was
given to Provincial Councils (PCs) through the 13 th Amendment to the
Constitution in 1989 which allows them to regulate passenger and goods road
transportation services by motor vehicles and provision of road transport
services within the province. 29 Provincial Councils can also make statutes
relevant to regulations provided that they are in line with the national policy
of the country. These functions are carried out by the following agencies in
each province. 30
• Provincial road development agencies
• Provincial road passenger transport agencies
• Provincial Commissioners of Motor Traffic
26 Ministry of Transport Sri Lanka, 14 Sep. 2011
27. Amal S. Kumarage, Review of Sri Lanka Transport Sector (2010) page 89
28. Amal S. Kumarage, Review of Sri Lanka Transport Sector (2010) page 139
29. Amal S. Kumarage, Review of Sri Lanka Transport Sector (2010) page 28
30. Ibid
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