Private bus bodies to launch countrywide strike from next Tuesday

20 October 2022 11:59 am - 9 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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All private bus associations have decided to launch a countrywide bus strike from next Tuesday (25) night as they are unable to pay the leasing installments during this economic crisis and against seizing their buses from owners who have leasing instalment arrears.

Addressing the media yesterday, IPPBA Secretary Anjana Priyanjith said at least 50 buses have been taken by the leasing companies for not paying installments.

"During COVID pandemic, the bus operation was suspended and we were unable to pay the leasing instalments. After informing the government about the difficulties we had been facing, a temporary reprieve from paying leasing installments was granted, but the fee was added as an additional payment to the monthly installment. Later, due to the current economic crisis, the buses were unable to run due to diesel crisis, resulting in a limited diesel supply using the QR code," he said.

He said it was reported that several leasing and finance companies are attempting to seize nearly 3,000 buses for not paying installments.

Therefore, we appealed to the main leasing companies in the country to stop such attempts immediately and to hand the 50 seized buses back to the respective bus owners immediately. Also we need additional time to complete the leasing installments.

"We request the government and the leasing companies to grant us with a moratorium until next March. Paying of leasing installments were delayed not because of our fault. We need to have an immediate discussion with the responsible parties, "Priyananjith said.

If not as a joint operation, the Inter-Provincial Private Bus Association (IPPBA), All Island Private Bus Owners' Association (AIPBOA) and United Bus Owners' Association (UBOA) will take a decision to withdraw from operations from next Tuesday (25), he said.

Therefore, we are urging the leasing and finance companies, the government, and other responsible parties to work responsibly and not to lay down plans to seize buses, Priyanjith added.

Meanwhile, Lanka Private Bus Owners' Association (LPBOA) chairman Gemunu Wijerathne said that he would interfere with the issue faced by the bus owners. He claimed that the said bus associations had a discussion with the Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardana and that the discussion was not fruitful.

"As bus associations, we do not have confidence in the minister. He still has not provided any solutions to the bus industry, including the fuel issue," he said.

However, the Prime Minister had promised to provide immediate solutions within two days for the issues faced by the bus owners, Wijerathne said. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)

Comments - 9

Ama Thursday, 20 October 2022 12:34 PM

please ARREST IPPBA Secretary Anjana Priyanjith. He is threatening the government.

Passengers Thursday, 20 October 2022 12:39 PM

Have more SLTB buses please and put this private bus menace out.

Tissa Fernando Thursday, 20 October 2022 01:08 PM

Establish a bus company with 4000 low floor green buses , have electronic ticket system. Train all drivers to be customer centric. Then we can wipe out these unruly killer bus operators who violate all sort of safety precautions.

Chris Thursday, 20 October 2022 02:09 PM

What a joke. They are running at a loss and against seizing of vehicles.. So they strike.

Down the prices Thursday, 20 October 2022 02:51 PM

If buses seized then they will be re-leased or sold no loss to the country. We should not care in the least about problems for current owner, as a new owner of bus will be glad to provide service.

Sokrates Thursday, 20 October 2022 03:07 PM

Do you dumbass think the leasing and finance companies have people who shit money? These companies also have costs and they have to pay their employees. They also have to pay loans to banks. So what's left for them to do other than confiscate the buses and sell them to cover their costs. Also, the government can only decide to suspend the leasing installments if it pays the installments itself. So it's bad luck for the bus owners. Anyone who buys a bus should know beforehand that the more money has to be financed, the greater the risk.

“ The Lansi Burgher Gent “ Thursday, 20 October 2022 04:48 PM

The menace of trade unions, guilds and what have you, have always held this country random to their selfish greed. It is about time, President Ranil and Co. get these buggers sorted out and pass a general amendment banning all of the above, making this and others an essential service. Since we have an over inflated military and police that dent the budget so badly, we could use some extra hands to take up such services after proper training. Either that, or do what PM Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore did to the SIA unions that were striking at the time. This country has to be run like a low cost airline- no frills, no drama, no wastage and to be profitable in the end. Busses, trains, tuk tuks, teachers, doctors, nurses, students and what next, then?

Sambo Thursday, 20 October 2022 08:06 PM

You people never stand together. That's why we are like this today.

Dinesh withanage Saturday, 22 October 2022 07:10 AM

What about the commuters suffering ?is there any regulatory body to supervise the immense hardships , harassment the commuters are undergoing ?

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Private bus bodies to launch countrywide strike from next Tuesday

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