Commuters in danger because of bus strike. Gemunu's buses also at a standstill for fear of being stoned!
A host of office employees have been inconvenienced as a result of not being able to report to work in Colombo and nearby cities because of the private bus strike which began last night on the issue that it is unjustified to enforce a fine of 25000 for 7 offences.
It was understood that several bus associations would be joining this strike and the bus association directed by Gemunu Wijeyratna has mentioned that the decision would be taken in compliance with with their discretion. As such since the majority of them have joined in this strike, roads in some areas were seen desolated by this morning, it was reported. Though 18000 buses would be joining the strike, the government has made arrangements to deploy only 6000 buses. Even those buses apparently were not to be seen this morning. To a large extent the consolation afforded was only because of buses of Ceylon Transport Board. Even buses which do not extend support for this strike have abstained from transport activities because of the fear of being stoned. Incidents of such stone-throwing at private buses that were plyingon the road were reported in the morning under the protest that the strike was subjected to betrayal, it was reported. A long-distance CTB bus had sustained an attack of stone-throwing near Mt. Lavinia Templars Road, it was learned. Another CTB bus plying along Trincomalee - Kandy route was stoned.
While enforcing a fine of Rs. 25000 in the case of 7 traffic violations as announced by the budget is something which is an essential rule which has to be obeyed, bus-owners have become outraged because violations such as speeding and overtaking on the left-hand side are offences which inevitably take place, they envisage that problems would occur because of this fine.
A large number of people have been inconvenienced in not being able to report for duty to office at the proper time as a consequence of the bus strike. What the State, provincial government trade unions has asked the government is to announce a grace period in this respect. Whatever it is, the school transport facility has not been hampered today. Even the school van-service is in operation today. But as today is a day where school holidays are given, school students have made it a point to make it a holiday for them. As today is a spring season for three-wheel drivers, there is no end for their hires. Because today is a day where many passengers would be travelling from Colombo to outstations for the weekend, this bus strike issue would aggravate towards evening hours. The situation which existed at 10, from below