Sri Lanka's government has handed over an advanced mobile laboratory to the National Transport Medical Institute to conduct drug testing among drivers and conductors in the public transport sector, as part of broader road safety initiatives.

The government has transferred a state-of-the-art mobile laboratory bus to the National Transport Medical Institute (NTMI) to strengthen drug screening operations among drivers and conductors working in public transport services. The laboratory was previously operated by the Ministry of Health and Mass Media and has been reassigned to support the Road Safety Plan implemented by the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development.

Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa formally handed over the vehicle to NTMI Chairman Professor Clifford Perera at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Health offices. According to Jayatissa, investigations into several road accidents have identified instances where drivers involved were allegedly using narcotics, underscoring the need to strengthen existing drug testing programmes operated by the Transport Ministry's medical division.

The mobile laboratory is equipped to travel to various locations and conduct on-site drug screening of drivers and transport assistants without requiring them to be transported to fixed facilities. Officials indicate the initiative aims to reduce road accidents, improve passenger safety, and establish greater accountability within the public transport system. The Ministry of Health had previously deployed the laboratory for various health-related testing programmes across multiple districts, but the government determined it could serve a more direct lifesaving purpose within the transport sector, given expanded laboratory capacity within the health system.