Several trade unions of the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) launched a strike from midnight yesterday (27), pressing four key demands.
Chairman of the SLTB Samagi Sewaka Sangamaya, Niroshan Sampath Premaratne, said the strike was primarily in protest against the National Transport Commission’s (NTC) decision to implement a unified bus timetable for both SLTB and private buses, along with other concerns raised by the unions.
Chairman of the Lanka Private Bus Association, Gemunu Wijeratne, also voiced objections, stating that the newly introduced timetable contained several flaws.
However, NTC Chairman Eng. P.A. Chandrapala defended the move, stressing that the timetable was formulated after considering the views of all stakeholders.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways, Prasanna Gunasena, described the strike as unjustified, pointing out that most of the demands raised by the unions had already been addressed.
