Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, Bimal Rathnayake, announced in Parliament today that Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) systems will be compulsory on all school vans starting next year.

The Minister highlighted the increasing harassment of women and children on public transport, stating the new measure is part of government efforts to minimise such incidents. 

He also confirmed that new guidelines for both school and office transport services will be introduced from January 2026.

Rathnayake emphasised that empowering passengers to intervene is the "only solution" to improve safety standards. 

The government is also working to professionalise the bus and three-wheeler industries.