Private bus operators threaten strike from Tuesday

By Rathindra Kuruwita

Three private bus associations yesterday said a countrywide bus strike would commence from 25 October night if the government and leasing companies did not grant them relief until March 2023.Inter-Provincial Private Bus Association (IPPBA) Secretary Anjana Priyanjith said most bus owners were not able to pay lease installments due to the current economic crisis. Leasing companies had seized at least 50 buses so far, he said.

Priyanjith said during the COVID pandemic buses didn’t operate and the government provided a temporary reprieve from leasing payments.

“However, the leasing companies found ways to make us pay more. Later we were not able to operate for months because of the diesel crisis. Even now we can’t operate as much as we want because of the limited fuel quota,” he said. Priyanjith said leasing and finance companies are planning to seize around 3,000 buses for not paying lease installments.

“We are asking the government and the leasing companies to give us a moratorium until March 2023. We will pay the lease installments as soon as possible, we want a discussion with the stakeholders,” Priyananjith said.

The Inter-Provincial Private Bus Association (IPPBA), All Island Private Bus Owners’ Association (AIPBOA) and United Bus Owners’ Association (UBOA) will withdraw from operations from next Tuesday if their demands are not met, he said.

Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) chairman Gemunu Wijerathne said that they have not yet decided to join the strike. Bus associations met Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardana but the discussion was not fruitful, he said. However, the Prime Minister promised a solutions within two days, Wijerathne said.