Sri Lanka, Jan. 9 -- A demerit system under which driving licences of habitual traffic offenders and route permits of buses will be cancelled is to be introduced soon to enhance road safety, Minister of Transport Bimal Rathnayake told Parliament yesterday.

The Minister said some drivers continue to commit traffic offences despite being fined repeatedly. In the case of private buses, owners often replace drivers who are penalized, but the new drivers also go on to commit similar offences. "This has become a frequent occurrence in Sri Lanka today. Therefore, the government has decided to introduce a demerit system under which both driving licences and route permits can be cancelled," he said.

Minister Rathnayake noted that 53 per cent of ...