A pioneer in the medical field of Sri Lanka, the National Transport Medical Institute (NTMI) has become the only Government institute which certifies physical and mental fitness, conducting qualitative medical tests for all candidates who apply for driving licenses.

Their vision is a ‘Healthy driver behind each steering wheel.’

However, a Daily Mirror investigation has revealed that medical certificates have been issued to people whose vision was not suitable for driving.

A Daily Mirror team visited the NTMI Head Office in Nugegoda to find out more about these allegations.
Several officials and several minor staffers who wished to remain anonymous provided details of irregularities which they claim are currently going on.

According to them, there are brokers who roam inside the NTMI premises and take bribes up to Rs. 50,000 to issue fraudulent certificates.

They provide the information that the examiners ask at the examination, enabling applicants to cheat.

These brokers charge a sum between Rs.15, 000 to Rs. 30,000 from applicants to provide examination details.
Moreover, there were allegations that some of the doctor assistants provide fraudulent results of the eyesight tests of the applicants to pass the test, compromising the procedure of conducting vision tests.

These false medical reports will lead to the issuance of driving licenses to those who are not fit, putting other motorists and pedestrians at risk.

Meanwhile, an official at the NTMI claimed that a doctor who had recently taken measures to rectify the faults was removed from his post by the Ministry.

According to the official, the said doctor used to conduct vision tests on his own, and that had antagonized brokers.
Several complaints were lodged with the Ministry by the brokers and the Ministry then decided to remove the doctor from the post.

The same officials claimed that the doctor had proposed several projects to the Transport Ministry to make it convenient for people. The programmes were especially beneficial for those who have speech and hearing difficulties in using public transport services.

He claimed that the doctor had proposed a lighting system to be installed in the bus as well as near the driver for deaf people to use, instead of a bell.

The doctor had also requested to display the destination of trains prominently so that passengers with hearing impairment, and so that people who can’t hear the announcements made at train stations can easily identify their intended trains.