Thousands stranded across Sri Lanka as privately owned public transport services go on strike

Record ID: 75284

  • Title: Thousands stranded across Sri Lanka as privately owned public transport services go on strike
  • Date: 2nd December 2016
  • Summary: COLOMBO, SRI LANKA (DECEMBER 2, 2016) (REUTERS) EMPTY ROAD IN FRONT OF COLOMBO RAILWAY STATION STATE OWNED BUS ON THE ROAD PEOPLE WAITING AT BUS STAND VARIOUS OF EMPTY STANDS AT THE CENTRAL PRIVATE BUS STAND IN COLOMBO (SOUNDBITE) (Sinhala) PRESIDENT OF PRIVATE PASSENGER SERVICES UNION, KOLITHA KUMARA SAYING: "Today's strike is a total success. Not only long distance buses but also short distance buses have supported the strike action. This is because of the steep increase in the traffic fines imposed by the government." VARIOUS OF CROWDED RAILWAY TERMINAL TRAIN ARRIVING PEOPLE GETTING ON TRAIN VARIOUS OF PASSENGERS TRYING TO GET INTO GOVERNMENT BUS PEOPLE TRYING TO GRAB GOVERNMENT RUN TUK TUK BUS AND TUK TUKS DRIVING AWAY (SOUNDBITE) (Sinhala) TUK TUK DRIVER, ROHITHA PERERA, SAYING: "It was also announced in the news yesterday that tuk tuk's were also taking part in this strike. But in the morning about 50 per cent of the tuk tuk's are running. I personally don't agree with that because we can't afford to pay the 25,000 rupee fine." TUK TUKS OPERATING OUTSIDE MAIN RAILWAY TERMINAL
  • Embargoed: 17th December 2016 06:16
  • Keywords: Sri Lanka public transport privately owned fines strike
  • Location: COLOMBO, SRI LANKA
  • City: COLOMBO, SRI LANKA
  • Country: Sri Lanka
  • Reuters ID: LVA0015B6X5J9
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Thousands were left stranded across Sri Lanka on Friday (December 2) as privately owned public transport services went on strike to protest against a government's decision to raise the price of traffic fines.
    The government last week announced a price increase for fines on 7 different traffic offences to 25,000 rupees (USD $167), which include speeding, drink driving, driving without a license, driving without a vehicle insurance, overtaking from the left, allowing someone to drive without a driving license and driving illegally through a railway crossing.
    Private transport providers agree with the price increase on the first four offences but want the government to reconsider their decision for the last three.
    However local authorities say that statistics show those offences are responsible for the most serious and fatal accidents.
    In Colombo, only government run buses and Tuk Tuks were seen on the road.
    "Today's strike is a total success. Not only long distance buses but also short distance buses have supported the strike action. This is because of the steep increase in the traffic fines imposed by the government," said Kolitha Kumara President of Private Passenger Services Union.
    Most of the estimated 20,000 private buses appeared to be off the road on Friday morning, private school transport services also joined the strike on the last school day of the year.
    However large numbers of the estimated one million tuk tuk taxis were seen on the roads providing people some relief despite some drivers' disagreement with the new fines.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2016. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register