Nisadas

unstructured. thoughts.

On the contrary, my dear watson

with 4 comments

I am still alive. And occasionally kicking. Contrary to what my pals might think.

Of course, subsequent to my shift away from full time participation in being part of (arguably) Sri Lanka’s best web design firm, I’ve had my laziness at posting compounded by a lack of time and inspiration.

So I have decided to make this post to share with you a little piece of Sri Lankan innovation:

Tv in a Bus

I normally catch a bus headed into Colombo from the outstations, since they don’t stop at too many halts and have more courteous (no, seriously) conductors. This photo was taken in a bus that travels from Matara to Colombo and back. The journey likely takes around five hours, if you consider the traffic and bus stops.

So what do these people do on these long journeys? They watch VCD movies.

This is in a Viking Leyland bus, most commonly known for loud horns, thundering along the roads with little concern for road rules, passenger comfort or general safety.

Given that reputation, I was pleasantly surprised that this particular bus (or rather its owners) had taken an innovative step towards making life interesting for its passengers.

I wonder whether they charge extra depending on the movie being played.

Written by Dulan

January 4th, 2006 at 7:43 pm

Posted in Life,Thoughts

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4 Responses to 'On the contrary, my dear watson'

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  1. This is really great, some true Sri Lankan innovation. I think more busses should do this. After all, the journey IS a lot more tolerable when you have something to do. I think people might even puke less on the way if they’re looking AT something.

    Either way, this is a great idea. Nice picture. Good post. :D

    Mahangu

    6 Jan 06 at 8:09 am

  2. Of course, we could always get everyone a video ipod…

    Dulan

    6 Jan 06 at 11:35 pm

  3. did you actually see the movie. because i have seen lot of tv’s on ‘intercity’ buses in sl (probably a leftover from their previous life in a foreign country ) but have never seen them put to work.

    sittingnut

    7 Jan 06 at 8:05 am

  4. Well, no – I didn’t see the movie myself. But this was hardly a leftover from a previous life in a foreign country.

    Like I said – this was a Leyland Viking bus, the very common sort that can be found all over Sri Lanka and the choice of private bus owners. Not the airconditioned Rosa buses that we generally refer to as “intercity” buses. So the tv was installed by the owners, not by the dudes in the factory that makes them.
    This bus is of the same make as this one:

    http://static.flickr.com/27/41060767_56d1971340.jpg

    Dulan

    13 Jan 06 at 8:04 am

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