As Sri Lanka prepared to celebrate International Women’s Day yesterday, the Government announced a new initiative aimed at ensuring women’s safety on public transport. Recognising harassment in buses and trains as a common occurrence, National Transport Commission (NTC) Chairperson Dr. Dileepa Witharana declared March 5 as a dedicated day to address the issue and introduce measures to prevent such incidents.
Dr. Witharana told a press conference on Wednesday that the NTC has launched several initiatives to ensure the elimination of violence against women in public transport by the end of 2025.
“Advocating for women’s rights is an ongoing commitment, not just a one day event. However, with March 5 set aside in honour of Women’s Day, we have launched a dedicated program to tackle this critical issue on this day,” he said.
Dr. Dileepa Witharana
Dr. Witharana described the issue as a national concern that has escalated into a serious societal problem. He said that despite its severity, there has been a lack of widespread discussion on the matter.
According to the Chairperson, the issue is particularly critical as women make up more than 50 percent of the country’s population, with a significant number depending on public transport. He said that a 2015 survey revealed that over 90 percent of women using public transportation had experienced some form of violence. However, these incidents have largely failed to receive substantial social attention. “Our primary objective is to bring this issue into public discourse,” he said.
Dr. Witharana and NTC staff also engaged in a sticker initiative at the main inter-provincial transport bus stop in Colombo on the day to further their efforts. Stickers were placed on buses with the message, “A sister, a daughter, a mother, a friend. A safe journey is her right.”
The core theme of the sticker calls on all passengers to not remain silent in the face of violence against women and to stand up against it. It also highlighted that violence and harassment against women is a punishable offence under the law. Dr. Witharana said the stickers will also be distributed islandwide as part of the awareness campaign.
“We have also initiated a training program for drivers and conductors under the National Transport Commission. During these sessions, we will also address this issue to ensure that public transport personnel understand their role in preventing harassment against women,” he added.
Long term commitment
Dr. Witharana said that ensuring the safety of women on public transport is a long-term commitment. He said that the new program will extend beyond a single day and continue moving forward.
“Our ultimate goal is to make public transport the safest environment for women. Rather than merely reducing violence, we are committed to eliminating it,” he said.
He also emphasized the need to improve the reporting system for incidents of violence against women on public transport while also educating them on the legal protections available. “Any form of physical, emotional, or psychological abuse against women constitutes violence. Such acts are classified as criminal offences, carrying penalties of a fine, imprisonment for up to five years, or both under Section 345 of the Penal Code,” he said.
The Chairperson said that legal action alone is not enough to prevent violence against women in public transport and highlighted the need for a broader social dialogue through discussions.
“One of the most critical issues we want to highlight is that women who experience violence in public transport often feel isolated. In many cases, they do not speak out or take action at the time of the incident. If they do, they may feel unsupported or alone. The key message we want to convey through these discussions is that if such an act occurs, society must step forward to support and seek justice for the victim,” he said.
The Chairperson also highlighted that the NTC is seeking the installation of CCTV cameras on buses to further combat the harassment of women. He also shared that a new mobile application is currently being developed, which will enable users to report incidents of harassment in real time.
Action on the spot
Head of the Police Bureau for the Prevention of Abuse of Children and Women, DIG Renuka Jayasundara, told a press conference that a comprehensive study conducted by a panel set up to identify incidents of sexual harassment on buses found approximately 35 cases within just one month. She acknowledged, however, that due to the complexities of public transportation, conducting such studies posed significant challenges.
“It is important to note that such incidents do not occur solely due to bus overcrowding. From the moment women and their families board a bus, they may face various forms of harassment, which can be harmful. For instance, when a woman gets on the bus, conductors sometimes make unnecessary physical contact while assisting her. If a woman experiences such harassment or any other form of misconduct on public transport, and either she or a bystander reports it immediately, we have put measures in place to take action on the spot,” she said.
Analysing past reports of incidents involving violence against women has been a crucial task. “We have recorded a significant number of cases over time,” said DIG Renuka Jayasundara. “In 2024 alone, 2,785 cases of violence against women have been reported.” She emphasized the importance of reporting such incidents, as many cases go unreported.
Among the reported cases, 1,852 complaints were related to domestic violence, while 289 complaints were linked to harassment on public transport and in public spaces, the top cop said. For 2023, 262 incidents of harassment occurred on public transport, and 117 complaints were reported about harassment on the streets.
Jayasundara also highlighted that women have the legal right to take action against violence in public transport, with several legal protections in place. “Sexual harassment is classified as a criminal offence under Section 345 of the 95th Amendment to the Penal Code,” she said. The law defines sexual harassment as any physical, verbal, or psychological act that occurs without a woman’s consent, adding that such incidents often leave victims feeling embarrassed and vulnerable. She said that if a woman’s clothing is intentionally disturbed or damaged during public transportation, it is also considered sexual harassment under the law.
To address these issues, a dedicated project has been implemented to protect women and children from sexual and psychological harassment in public transportation. “This initiative aims to ensure their safety and provide necessary support,” she said. “Through this program, we hope to create a safer and more secure public transport system for everyone.”
Broader societal discourse
Prof. Farzana Haniffa, a member of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) discussed the role of social platforms in minimising issues related to violence and harassment against women.
“What I want to focus on here is the action we can take through social platforms to address these problems,” she said. “The first step is to educate society about the importance of respecting and valuing women, and this education should start at a young age, particularly within schools.”
She said that while awareness has been a topic of discussion in the past, true respect for women is still not fully realised in practice. “For example, the way women in Parliament are spoken about should reflect respect and dignity. Fortunately, as more women take on leadership roles in Parliament, their contributions are helping to reduce such issues,” she added.
Prof. Haniffa emphasised the need for broader societal discourse around the respect and rightful place of women in the community. “Public awareness should highlight that violence against women and disrespect for them are punishable offences. From a young age, children in schools and temples need to learn the importance of respecting women, understanding their value, and recognising their role in society,” she said.
According to her, education plays a crucial role in minimising these issues. “While legal measures are important, we must also address the issue on a social level,” she said. “Moreover, women should be given opportunities to take on leadership roles in unions, companies, Parliament, and at the national level. We must eliminate their shame and reluctance, and instead, encourage and empower them to lead.”
“By supporting women, respecting them, and providing leadership opportunities, we can significantly reduce these issues,” Prof. Haniffa added.
Pix by Shan Rupassara
Graphic by Manoj Nishantha
