LPBOA urges UNHRC to take action against damages, arson attack on buses on May 9

The Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) today handed over a missive to the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) in Colombo to take action against burning and damaging buses on May 9, 2022.

LPBOA Chairman Gemunu Wijerathne told the Daily Mirror that around 50 buses were set ablaze and damaged completely or partially.

He said their members had hired their buses to transport people to Colombo and that they always rented out buses to any party, company, or individual for events on top of  daily passenger transportation as part of their  livelihood.

Due to income pressure and financial constraints, we did not have the proper income during the COVID pandemic. Therefore, we forced the bus owners to hire their buses to any legitimate party. 

A similar bus is currently worth around Rs. 10 million, but the buses are insured for a lower value based on their age and their condition for passenger transport.

"Most bus owners' solitary income source is the revenue generated from their buses. "They are now helpless and have difficulties even sending their children to school," he said.

"This could be considered a terrorist/arson attack as most of the buses were attacked while being parked in safer places away from crowds. "The victimized bus owners are facing huge unfairness and still nobody has offered  them any assistance or due consideration to recover the damages," he said.

Therefore, the LPBOA seeks the kind intervention of the UNHRC to do justice to the bus owners who had to face  an unfortunate situation and are struggling for find income for their survival. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)