Violence shuts down Mannar private busses

[TamilNet, Monday, 25 July 2005, 13:51 GMT]
Private bus traffic in Mannar came to a halt following three violent incidents between Sri Lankan government operated Transport Board (SLTB) bus drivers from Vavuniya depot and private bus operators from Mannar, affecting large number of passengers Monday, sources from Mannar said.

Mr. Easan, 35, driver and owner of a private bus, with registration number HO-5658, belonging to KPN Travels in Mannar, was attacked by SLTB employees at Vavuniya bus stand Sunday, according to Police sources in Vavuniya. There were passengers on board the private bus when the incident took place.

On Monday morning, an SLTB bus from Vavuniya depot, with registration number 61-8971, was stopped and the conductor of the bus, Mr. Krishnasingham Fernando Cruez, 25, was attacked at Mannar bus stop. A complaint was registered at Mannar Police on the incident, sources said.

Mr. Inthiran, 35, from Thalvupadu, driver of a private bus with registration number HP-9000, was also reported to have been attacked by SLTB employees Monday.

Both the attacked persons were not admitted to hospital, sources said.

Following the unrest between the bus operators on Mannar - Vavuniya route, the organisational representatives of the private bus society in Mannar and SLTB officials in Vaviya were summoned for a meeting by Vanni District TNA Parliamentarian Mr. Sivanathan Kishor and Vavuniya Government Agent (GA) Mr. K. Ganesh.