Colombo-Jaffna buses plying on the sly

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

National Transport Commission (NTC) Transport Director Vipula Hewawalimuni yesterday said they will take legal action against unauthorized passenger buses that are plying between Colombo and Jaffna.

The buses are run by private operators without route permits. We will have solved the matter within the next few weeks, said Hewawalimuni.

Asked how many buses are plying without route permits between Colombo and Jaffna , he said the NTC will identify them with the assistance of the police. The National Transport Authority is responsible for the issue of route permits.

There are 68 buses that are plying illegally between Jaffna and Colombo, and this stands to cause a loss of Rs.10 billion to the government , according to sources at Lanka Private Bus Owners' Association.

As pointed out by Lanka Private Bus Owners Association(LPBOA) Chairman Gemunu Wijeratne, most buses that are being run illegally, are owned by politicians from both parties and several mudalalis.

"We have apprised the National Transport Commission regarding the matter as it is their responsibility to control the situation. These buses have been plying illegally for many months now, he said.

"There have also been irregularities in the tender procedure for the bus service between Jaffna and Colombo, he said.

"The Association has decided to take legal action against the situation," said Wijeratna.