Cash handling by Lankan Bus Conductors

Lankan Bus Conductors have developed an unique ability to handle cash safely while moving in a crowded Bus. All of the currency notes are folded in the middle along its long edge. The resulting narrow folded notes are arranged in order of denominations and wrapped between two fingers of the left hand on to which the ticket printing machine if used is also strapped. This allows use of right hand to accept payment and operate the device.

Coins if any are kept in the palm of the hand. Rs10/- coins to ensure they are not mixed up with other coins of similar size are kept in a shirt pocket. Change of Rs1 is rarely given or demanded if short, on city buses where ticket prices range from Rs9 to Rs50 depending on sectors. The round off is Rs5 on long distance buses where prices range to Rs500.

I have on rare occasions seen Rs1000 and Rs2000 notes wrapped in hand, but most often these higher denomination notes are transfered for safe keeping to trouser pocket.

The Polymer Rs200 were not popular as it could not be folded easily and tends to slip unlike the Paper notes

The photograph was taken using a mobile phone in a Bus in Colombo,

Kavan Ratnatunga 2013 December