In the Budget proposal minimum fine of Rs. 2500 proposed to be imposed for traffic offences. Bus operators in the island vehemently protested against this unprecedented increase. One of the bus operators association led by Gemunu Wijeratne had a meeting with the finance minister Ravi Karunanayake and announced that the proposal would be reviewed and called off bus strike planned by them. However, no one has given assurance that this minimum fine of Rs.2500 will not be imposed.
In the meantime, all Island private bus owners association Convener, Kumara Ratna called a press conference yesterday and announced that the agreement reached between Ravi Karunanayake and Gemunu Wijeratne cannot be accepted in the best interest of bus operators. He further said, that Gemunu is a man who says something in the morning and reverse it in the evening. This has been witnessed by them in the past. If the Government does not take immediate step to review this, they will be compelled to resort to strike action.
Now news reached us revealed that some members of the All Island Private Bus Owners Association has launched a strike from today. Accordingly buses plying from Aluthgama to Colombo (400) bus route and local routes are on strike due to 80 employees struck work. Mathugama, Kalutara , Panadura and Horana services are badly affected by this strike.
