Sri Lanka Police has issued a statement urging motorists to refrain from parking or leaving vehicles in a manner that obstructs designated bus stops, warning of the risks posed to public transport passengers and traffic flow.

Bus drivers are frequently compelled to stop on the roadway because other vehicles are parked at designated bus stops intended for public transport buses to stop and for passengers to board and alight, it said in a statement. 

This practice contributes to traffic congestion and poses a significant risk to the safety of passengers, police stated. 

With the introduction of wheelchair-accessible bus services for persons with disabilities, it is particularly important that bus stops remain free from obstructions. 

When bus stops are blocked by other vehicles, persons with disabilities, as well as other passengers, may be placed in dangerous situations while boarding or alighting from buses. 

A special Government Gazette notification has been issued in this regard, prohibiting the parking of vehicles within 30 meters of a bus stop and within 15 meters of its exit. 

In the case of bus stops equipped with bus bays, parking is prohibited within 15 meters of the bus stop and within 10 meters of its exit, the police said. 

The Sri Lanka Police has drawn attention to this issue and instructed all police stations to take appropriate legal action against drivers who park or leave vehicles in a manner that obstructs designated bus stops. 

These measures are intended to ensure that public transport buses can safely stop at designated locations and that passengers can board and alight safely, while also helping to reduce unnecessary traffic congestion, the police further added.