Private bus strike on for tonight; No bus strike in the South.

The Lanka Private Bus Owners Association states that the bus strike scheduled to be initiated at midnight today will go ahead as planned.

Speaking at a press conference held this afternoon the chairman of the LPBOA Gemunu Wijerathne stated that the strike will be initiated in protest against the promised bus fare amendment not taking place on the 1^st of July as scheduled.

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However, the Southern Provincial Private Bus Association Federation states that it will not take part in the strike initiated by the LPBOA.

Speaking further the chairman of the federation Chandana Soysa stated that the Galle Passenger Transportation Association PLC which is affiliated to the federation will also not take part in the strike.

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The Polonnaruwa Bus Owners Association also stated that it will not support the strike initiated by the LPBOA.

However, the executive committee of the All Island Private Bus Owners Association Federation convened today to decide whether to profess support for the strike or not and has decided not to support the strike.

However, the convener of the Federation Anjana Priyanjith, speaking to our news team, stated that bus owners who belong to the Federation posses the option of an independent decision regarding the matter.

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Meanwhile, Minister of Private Transportation Services C. B. Rathnayaka while speaking to our news regarding the matter stated that he will take all necessary steps to ensure that the Lanka Private Bus Owners Association strike does not take place.

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