Commuters have been gravely inconvenienced due to the countrywide trade union action launched by operators of private buses and three-wheelers.
However, trade unionists have pledged to continue their battle till a decision is reached to remove the proposed new fines for traffic offences.
Our correspondents in the Northern Province reported that the bus strike did not affect activities in the Northern Province.
Chairman of the The Lanka Private Bus Owners Asssociation Gemunu Wijeratne, continuously stated that his association would not join the trade union action.
” I am not the chairman of the bus operators association, I am the Chairman of the Lanka Private Bus Owners Association”, said the chairman of LPBOA, Gemunu Wijeratne
He explained that there were no drivers and conductors to operate the buses today, and that a problematic situation occurred as a result
Meanwhile, Secretary of the Private Bus Operators Association, Anjana Priyanjith charged, “The government did not care about our requests”.
He added that the ‘so called chairman’ of bus associations Gemunu Wijeyaratne misled the government and that they are prepared to continue this countrywide strike and the fine which was at Rs.550 has to be reduced to this amount once more.
Although there were reports that container as well as lorry drivers would be joining this strike, our reporters around the country stated that services provided by them did not falter today.
Meanwhile,a group of three-wheeler trade unions staged a motorcade from opposite the Vihara Mahadevi Park towards the Presidential Secretariat today.
Their aim was to provide a letter to the secretariat on the decision to increase fines for traffic violations.
As the protesters were nearing the Presidential Secretariat, police took steps to cordon off the Lotus Road and stop the motorcade.
Several representatives were given the opportunity to enter the Presidential Secretariat
Chairman of the National United Three-wheeler Drivers Association, L. Rohan Perera said that guidelines were handed over and assistant Secretary Susantha Kariyapperuma had informed themthat a decision will be made in this regard before Friday.
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