Video: Association President challenges to disprove charges

The Lanka Private Buss Owners Association (LPBOA) today said the Western Province Road Passenger Transport Authority (RPTA) had illegally given out 82 bus permits since February last year.

LPBOA President Gamunu Wijeratna today said that he would resign from his position if anyone could prove the charges of corruption at the Private Transport Ministry and the National Transport Commission (NTC) were false.

Wijerathna said the temporary bus permits given for the Southern Expressway had expired three months ago but the busses were still plying on the route illegally, making millions in profits.  

The Association alleged the RPTA had not called  for tenders when giving out bus permits this past year.

“If anyone wishes to prove these allegations are false I’m willing to vacate my seat as the President of this Association,” he said.

Wijerathna added that he had received death threats from various individuals for taking a stand on corruption within the government institutions.

He said that the bus owners were willing to pay the government Rs. 2. 4 million each year for bus permits for the Southern Expressway.

“The busses on the route are driven by SLTB drivers. The government unions are raising their voices against privatisation in SLTB but it has already begun,” he said.  

The Association also proposed the semi- luxury bus service run by the NTC be removed and the service be handed over to the private sector.

“The service now is like the normal service with people standing throughout the journey. We can provide the luxury service at a slightly higher price with better services,” Wijeratna said.

The normal ticket from Colombo to Matara is Rs. 200, the Super Luxury bus service is Rs. 400.

“We can provide the semi- luxury services at Rs. 350,” he said.  (Darshana Sanjeewa)