Aug 05, Colombo: Several private bus owners’ associations have launched an island-wide strike action effective from midnight Thursday (Aug 04).

They say the reason for this strike is the problem of insufficient fuel provided for the buses.

General Secretary of the All Ceylon Private Bus Owners Association Anjana Priyanjith said bus owners have decided to suspend operations on several routes in protest of the government’s move to reduce the fares when fuel supplied to the buses is inadequate.

Addressing a press conference in Colombo yesterday, Priyanjith said only 40 liters of diesel per week is given to the buses and it is not enough for operations.

The National Transport Commission has reduced bus fares by 11.14% effective from midnight Thursday (Aug 04). Accordingly, the minimum fare now stands at Rs. 34.00.