Private bus strike unsuccessful

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Although private bus employees announced an islandwide strike, News 1st correspondents reported that transportation services are in operation as usual across many parts of the island. The All Ceylon Private Bus Workers' Association launched a 24-hour strike at midnight against the revised fines introduced by the government. However, News 1st inquiries revealed that bus services in the Matara, Galle and Kandy districts were operating according to schedule. The officials at the Bastian Mawatha bus station said buses were operating according to schedule. Lanka Private Bus Owners' Association President Gemunu Wijeratne said their association will not join the strike. He admitted that it was unreasonable to launch the strike at a time when people were returning home for the festive season. At the same time, the General Secretary of the All Ceylon Private Bus Owners Association Anjana Priyanjith said they will not join the strike.

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