Mr.Wijeratne explained that the recent fuel price increase has made it financially unviable for private bus operators to continue services under the നിലവ current fare structure. As a result, operators across the country were compelled to suspend operations.
He emphasized that the decision was not organized as a trade union strike, but was instead a collective outcome of economic pressure faced by bus owners. “This is not a strike action. Operators simply cannot run their buses at a loss,” he noted.
According to Wijeratne, more than 90% of private buses remained off the roads today, significantly disrupting public transportation, while only a limited number continued to operate.
He also pointed out that authorities had an opportunity to introduce a revised bus fare from yesterday (22), which could have helped prevent the situation. The failure to implement a fare revision, he said, directly contributed to today’s service disruptions.
Wijeratne further clarified that no coercion or directive was issued to bus owners to withdraw services, stressing that the decision was made independently by operators based on their financial constraints.
Transport authorities have yet to announce any immediate measures to address the issue, leaving commuters facing considerable inconvenience nationwide.
