Western Province:

Bus strike called-off

Chaminda Perera

The Private Bus Operators Association yesterday called-off the token strike which was scheduled to be held in the Western Province today. The private bus operators demanded an increase of a minimum bus fare by one rupee. According to Association President Gemunu Wijeratne, the Association arrived at this decision following a discussion with the Government Ministers last night.

He requested the members of his Association to ensure that all buses of the Association’s membership are on the roads today.

“Our Association decided not to take part in the scheduled Trade Union action following the assurance given by the Government,” Wijeratne told the Daily News.

He said the Government Ministers with whom his Association held talks agreed to consider their demands at highest level.

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Kumara Welgama at a special press briefing held at the Ministry yesterday said that the Government was ready to face the challenge of private bus operators in the Western Province who were scheduled to go on a token strike today demanding an increase of the first section fare from Rs six to seven.

Minister Welgama said that the Ministry had put in place a novel program to face the Private Bus Operators challenge.

Minister Kumara Welgama stressed that the bus operators who do not wish to participate in the Trade Union action should not be harassed by the others.

He said that he conveyed this message to the bus operators who were to participate in the Trade Union action.

He said that there were instances where a large number of buses which were in operation despite the Trade Union action were attacked by Trade Union goons. “This situation should not be allowed to happen this time,” he stressed.

Minister Welgama said that their demand for an increase in the minimum bus fare of one rupee is totally unfair and unwarranted at this point.

The Ministry discusses bus fare revision every July and a demand for a bus fare revision is totally unwarranted, he added.

Minister Welgama said the Sri Lanka Railways will operate over 40 train services within the purview of Western Province in addition to normal services today.

He said the whole bus fleet of the SLCTB depots in the Western province would ply and every possible action would be taken to ensure that passengers are provided better transport facilities.

Western Province Transport Minister Upali Kodikara added that the buses which strike today cannot be parked on either road sides or bus stands.

Stern action will be taken against such bus owners, he said.

He said school vans and buses can be deployed in the Western Province today.

The Security Forces and the Police have been informed to provide security to the private buses which will be in operation today, he said.

Minister Kodikara added that the Government has not taken any decision to increase by 20 percent the number of buses in the western province.

Minister Kodikara said a possible increase in the number of buses in the Western province would only take place after a comprehensive study on the number of buses and the passengers.

“We will take a number of factors into account before increase the bus contingent in the Western Province,” he added.

He said a committee has been appointed to look into the possibility of increasing the number of private buses in the Western Province but no decision has been taken yet.

The Western Province Transport Minister said that more luxury buses would also be in operation in the Western Province.