I’m ready to face any threat, any strike as I am very conversant in the subject (transport), Transport Minister Kumara Welgama said today. Yesterday the Private Bus Operators threatened to go on strike in January 2011 to protest the decision of the Western Province Passenger Transport Authority to increase the number of bus route permits in the Western Province by 20%.
I have busses, a fleet of trains so that no commuter is left on the road; this is why Gemunu Wijerathne is angry with me, Welgama added. He claimed that he was the only Transport Minister who was repairing old busses and putting them on the road.
If you ask anyone in Sri Lanka they will say Kumara Welgama is a good transport Minister, they have a high regard for me.
Addressing a press conference yesterday Private Bus Operators Association President Gemunu Wijeyratne, said the issuance of more bus route permits was illegal and would have an adverse effect on bus operators already operating in the Western Province.
