Bus strike called off

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The Lanka Private Bus Operators Association (LPBOA) yesterday called off their two-day strike on the Panadura - Colombo main Road following the arrest of an SLCTB employee responsible for attacking a private bus crew.

The strike sparked off on Thursday after a group of SLCTB employees attacked a driver and a conductor of a private bus plying between Colombo and Panadura following a minor incident that occurred between Dehiwala and Ratmalana.

President, LPBOA, Gamunu Wijeratne told the Sunday Observer that a few bus operators resumed operations last evening after discussions between the Association and SLCTB officials.

He also assured that all private buses on the Panadura-Colombo road will operate from today.

He said Mt. Lavinia Police is looking for two more SLCTB employees who were responsible for the Thursday's attack on the private bus crew.

Wijeratna further said a large number of passengers were badly affected due to the strike and if timely action was taken by relevant officials to arrest the culprits situation of this nature would not have taken place.