SLTB TUs threaten to withdraw from service if authorities don’t respond

The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) trade unions have decided to withdraw from all their operations from 10:00 am today if the authorities do not provide  adequate fuel for their employees to report to work. 

The Head of the SLTB trade unions, Nurajith Singh said their employees need to report to work early in the morning to provide the public with transportation. Most of them use their own vehicles, such as motorcycles. Due to the current fuel shortage, it has been difficult for them to report to work. 

However, fuel will be issued for essential service vehicles such as ambulances. As a result the trade unions have decided to withdraw from operating buses. 

"We have reported this issue to the responsible authorities several months, but no one has listened. We have had practical issues when reporting for their duties as early as 4.00 am everyday. We can't travel by buses to return home. Therefore, we have to use our own vehicles," Nurajith Singh said. 

We will give up this trade union action upon getting a written approval guaranteeing that we will get fuel. 

However, SLTB Deputy General Manager Panduka Swarnahansa said that buses will run based on the number of employees present for duty. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)