Bus strike continues

3 June 2011 09:45 am

Buses on the Karagampitiya-Hettiawatta (176), Battaramulla-Dehiwela (163), Mount Lavinia-Mattakuliya (155) Angulana-Kiribathgoda (154) may go on strike today to join the massive strike by the bus workers operating on the Galle road which has been continuing since yesterday.

Yesterday, all private buses operating from Panadura and Moratuwa went on strike and refused to go back to work after a bus driver and a conductor of a private bus was allegedly assaulted by a group of over 20 people in front of the Ratmalana depot on Wednesday. 

Private Bus Drivers and Conductors Union, Spokesperson, Sugath Ratnayake stated that bus operators will continue their strike until the individuals responsible for the assault were brought to book. Thousands of commuters from Panadura to Colombo and several other areas have been stranded due to the lack of buses on the roads.

The driver of the private bus who was severely injured in the assault was transferred to the Panadura hospital from the Kalubowila hospital.

Meanwhile Western Province Transport Minister, Upali Kodikara met with the private bus workers today to settle the strike. However they refused to stop the strike stating that the two security guards at the Ratmalana bus depot who had been arrested by the Mount Lavinia police have been released. (Olindhi Jayasundere and Kusal Chamath)