21 October 2022 09:48 am Views - 72
By Chaturanga Samarawickrama
All private bus associations have decided to launch a countrywide bus strike from next Tuesday (25) night as they are unable to pay the leasing instalments during this economic crisis and against seizing buses from owners who have leasing instalment arrears.
Addressing the media yesterday, IPPBA Secretary Anjana Priyanjith said at least 50 buses have been taken by the leasing companies for not paying instalments.
“During the COVID pandemic, the bus operation was suspended and we were unable to pay the leasing instalments. After informing the government about the difficulties we had been facing, a temporary reprieve from paying leasing instalments was granted, but the fee was added as an additional payment to the monthly instalment. Later, due to the current economic crisis, the buses were unable to run due to diesel crisis, resulting in a limited diesel supply using the QR code,” he said.
He said it was reported that several leasing and finance companies are attempting to seize nearly 3,000 buses for not paying instalments. Therefore, we appealed to the main leasing companies in the country to stop such attempts immediately and to hand the 50 seized buses back to the respective bus owners immediately. Also we need additional time to complete the leasing instalments.