A deputy minister in Matara had assisted a private bus organisation to halt buses from being commissioned on the Southern Expressway from Matara, the Lanka Private Bus Owners Association (LPBOA) alleged today.

Earlier the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) said it had decided to temporarily suspend the bus service along in the Southern Expressway due to the objections of private bus owners.

“We, the LPBOA have nothing to do with the situation. There are organisations and groups sponsored by the National Transport Board. One such organisation in Matara had funded a deputy minister for electioneering. This organisation had acquired the support of the deputy minister to prevent buses from travelling on the Expressway,” LPBOA President Gemunu Wijeratne said. (Sanatha Desmond, Lahiru Pothmulla)
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