Private bus operators threaten to strike

Rasika Somarathna

COLOMBO: The Private Bus Owners Association (PBOA) yesterday threatened to strike from Monday if their demands, either to increase the fares or to implement the recommendations in the transport sector development report prepared by a committee headed by Treasury Secretary Dr. P. B. Jayasundera, were not met.

The Government run CEYPETCO yesterday raised the fuel prices and accordingly the PBOA is demanding a 10-15 per cent hike in fares.

However the PBOA is willing to drop its demand if the recommendations in the transport sector development report is implemented. According to Transport Minister A. H. M. Fowzie, the much awaited report on transport development has been finalised.

The report is to be presented to the President on Friday. Fowzie said he had invited the PBOA for a discussion on Thursday to solve the issue amicably. PBOA Chairman Gemunu Wijerathne appealing to the President to intervene, said: "We have sent a letter to the Transport Minister stating our stance on the matter.

We are awaiting his response." According to Wijerathne there are many anomalies pertaining to the private bus transport sector. Wijerathne, also criticised the National Transport Commission's role.

According to him, the Government has lost about Rs. 20 million due to the irregularities pertaining to the issue of route permits by the NTC.