All private buses operating from the Aluthgama bus stop have refrained from services since Wednesday morning, as a mark of protest.

Chairman of the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association, Gemunu Wijeratne said that the protest is being staged against the assault on a bus driver by a group of workers of the Katubedda Bus Depot.

Private buses which operate on the Aluthgama – Colombo, Aluthgama – Mathugama and Aluthgama – Kalutara routes have been refraining from services since this morning.

The Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association said that workers of nearly 80 private buses are taking part in this strike.

Chairman of Private Bus Owners’ Association, Aluthgama, M.D. Gunaratne said

What we require is that all those who carried out this assault be arrested and produced before court. Moreover, the root cause for this issue is the unlawful operations of SLTB buses and these buses operate by deviating from the time table. So unless this unlawful operation is brought to a complete halt, we will continue this strike.

Deputy General Manager of the Sri Lanka Transport Board, Raja Gunathilleka said that the group who allegedly carried out the assault are in police custody and the police investigations have been launched into the incident.

The Deputy General Manager also noted that more buses will be included to the service to avoid any inconvenience to passengers.