Bus strike half successful

12 January 2011 11:30 am

The All-Island Private Bus Company Federation today said that the intended bus strike yesterday was 50% successful and that another bus strike was likely if authorities did not meet their demands.

The association’s President, Stanley Wijeyratne said that although Private Bus Operators Association (PBOA) President Gemunu Wjeyratne had called off the strike, his association went ahead with the strike.

The association runs 6500 buses, all of which he said were stationary on January 11, the day the strike was to be held. He said that the association will go on strike for a consecutive number of days in the near future if their demands are not met.

“We have not set a date for the strike but will carry out a strike if the authorities do not fulfill the demands,” Wijeyratne said. He said that in addition to the refraining from issuing more route permits and increasing bus fare hikes, the association intends on making several other requests. (Olindhi Jayasundere)