Matara - Colombo buses launch strike action

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Employees of private buses plying from Matara to Colombo have launched a strike. The bus operators charge that there are only 4 bus stops between Colombo and Moratuwa which results in fewer commuters boarding their long distance buses. Employees of the bus service along the Gall road also launched a strike action last week to oppose the long distance bus services stopping at non-express bus stops. Chairman of the Matara Passenger Transport Association Aruna Halpage stated that there were around 7 to 8 strikes launched by employees of buses travelling along the Galle road and that the situation occurred due to the conduct of the Chairman of the National Transport Commission. The Chairman further continued that if the issues are not resolved an islandwide strike action would be launched. Halpage further noted that they have planned to launch a strike action along the expressway if their issues are not resolved today.