Transport Ministry Calls Bus Owners To Attend Talks

Deputy Minister of Transport Ashok Abeysinghe has called the  Private Bus Owners for a discussion to discuss about  the strike scheduled to be launched at midnight today.

But bus Owners said the President must intervene to solve the issue regarding bus fares.

On behalf of private bus owners  its leader Anjana Priyanjith said the government must be reminded that until the minimum bus fare which is currently 10 rupees is increased to 15 rupees the Bus Owners will not call off the strike.

He said owners of short distance busses incur an evident loss of 700 rupees daily adding therefore they cannot call off the strike until the bus fares are increased.

Priyanjith noted the strike will not be called off until the minimum fare is increased, even if the bus fares are increased by more than 10%.

Meanwhile  Cabinet spokesman Minister of Health Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said 1500 CTB buses have been called in for service in order to face the strike and provide transport to commuters.

nsufficient.

Accordingly bus owners unions are due to launch and island wide strike from midnight today in opposition of the move.