Sri Lanka, Sept. 8 -- The Ceylon Teachers' Union (CTU) has called on authorities to take immediate action to ensure the safety of vehicles used for transporting school children, citing concerns over their poor condition.

CTU General Secretary Joseph Stalin told the media that most vehicles used for school services are old, with outdated registration numbers. He added that some passenger service buses, previously rejected from regular transport service, have been pressed into service for school transportation after only minor repairs.

"Using such old and repaired vehicles to transport children could lead to another tragic accident," Stalin warned.

He further noted that, in foreign countries, only new vehicles are assigned for transporti...