Black flags in buses against the enhanced smoke test charge

Against the increases in the smoke emission test charges and the increased valuation charges from the budget proposals 2016 the private buses will be plying with black flags in protest from today

This protest with black will continue until the 15th of this month. If no redress and sympathy is made by the government the private bus operators union would be resorting to strike action was informed by Gemunu Wijeratne.

The President of the private bus operators union had said that the  enhanced payment made to the government for the smoke emission test would benefit the related provincial and municipal councils. It is also learnt that the valuation fees of a  bus intended to be sold has been increased  from Rs 2500/- to Rs 15,000/- In the event after a valuation if the vehicle could not be sold the loss has to be incurred by the owner of the vehicle.

The annual license fee is also to be increased from next year and this increase has been proposed by the related province and municipal councils.

The President of the private bus operators union Gemunu Wijeratne has urged the government to revoke the above charges brought by the budget. Otherwise the students who are sitting the GCE ordinary level examination would be stranded and the responsibility should be borne by the government was his view.