"Buses can run for 2 more days"

Gemunu Wijeratne, President of the Ceylon Private Bus Owners' Association, said that according to the available fuel stocks, buses could only run for another two days, after which public transport would be in crisis.

But he said he would not raise bus fares because he could not get fuel.

Secretary of the All Ceylon Private Bus Owners' Association Anjana Priyanjith said that if proper procedures are not followed to provide diesel, buses will be forced to withdraw from service in the coming days.

Mr. Priyanjith said that the government was focusing on revising bus fares and that the government should take immediate action to provide fuel for private buses.

Bus drivers say they have to wait in line for days to get 50 liters of fuel, which is not enough for buses. The Minister of Transport and Highways Bandula Gunawardena stated that short distance public transport will be provided by SLTB buses and inter-provincial transport will have to be stopped.

Mr. Gunawardena said that the decision was taken due to the limited fuel reserves available in the country and that the government regrets the temporary difficulties that may arise at this time.