Private transport operators' strike called off

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 10 August 2005, 02:21 GMT]
Sri Lanka's private transport operators called off their strike Tuesday evening following eight hours of talks with the Deputy Minister for Transport Mr.Lasantha Alagiawanna at his office, Tuesday, sources said. Mr.Alagiawanne gave assurances in writing to the representatives of striking transport service unions that their demands would receive serious consideration by his ministry in the coming weeks and also in the parliament.

The demands of private transport operators will be submitted to the parliament for making necessary amendments to the Finance Ministry circular imposing heavy fines for traffic offences, Mr.Alagiawanne told media persons after the strike was called off, sources in Colombo said.

Private bus services to and from Colombo and outstations returned to normalcy Tuesday evening, sources said.