Private Bus Owners today confirmed that they will go ahead with tomorrows bus strike in the entire Western Province after several discussions with the relevant authorities failed.
PBOA President, Genumu Wijeyratne said that their demand to increase bus fares failed and that the private buses will continue with their plans to go on strike tomorrow.
The PBOA and the All-Island Bus Operators Association requested for a discussion with President Mahinda Rajapakse two days ago after unfavorable negotiations with Transport Minister, Kumara Welgama.
“If we had a chance to negotiate the matter with the President we may have been able to resolve this issue and we would not be forced to go on a strike,” Wijeyratne said.
He said that private bus owners held discussions with Transport Minister Kumara Welgama, National Transport Commission and Western Province Transport Authority officials.
Wijeyratne said that during today’s discussions he was allegedly threatened by Western Province Transport Minister, Upali Kodikara. “He made all kinds claims and insisted that he needed to issue permits for his supporters,” Wijeyratne alleged.
The private bus operators have requested private buses in other provinces to refrain from entering the Western Province today.
DM
UPDATE:
Planned bus strike called-off
The private bus strike scheduled to be launched midnight in the Western Province has been canceled, the Lanka Private Bus Operators Association said a short while ago.
Association’s President Gemunu Wijeratne said that they have decided to cancel the strike after a senior government minister agreed to meet their demands.
DM
PBOA President, Genumu Wijeyratne said that their demand to increase bus fares failed and that the private buses will continue with their plans to go on strike tomorrow.
The PBOA and the All-Island Bus Operators Association requested for a discussion with President Mahinda Rajapakse two days ago after unfavorable negotiations with Transport Minister, Kumara Welgama.
“If we had a chance to negotiate the matter with the President we may have been able to resolve this issue and we would not be forced to go on a strike,” Wijeyratne said.
He said that private bus owners held discussions with Transport Minister Kumara Welgama, National Transport Commission and Western Province Transport Authority officials.
Wijeyratne said that during today’s discussions he was allegedly threatened by Western Province Transport Minister, Upali Kodikara. “He made all kinds claims and insisted that he needed to issue permits for his supporters,” Wijeyratne alleged.
The private bus operators have requested private buses in other provinces to refrain from entering the Western Province today.
DM
UPDATE:
Planned bus strike called-off
The private bus strike scheduled to be launched midnight in the Western Province has been canceled, the Lanka Private Bus Operators Association said a short while ago.
Association’s President Gemunu Wijeratne said that they have decided to cancel the strike after a senior government minister agreed to meet their demands.
DM
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