S.Lankan President Agrees to Concessions for Private Bus OperatorsSri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga Thursday agreed to provide concessions to private bus operators to prevent an increase of bus fares following an increase in fuel prices, the official Daily News said on Friday.The bus operators had earlier written to the president requesting the concessions. During their meeting with her they pointed out that they had to face increased insurance premiums, the demand of ransom at bus stations and the imposition of fines by the police. The president ordered the police to take action against those who demanded ransom from the bus owners. She also agreed to facilitate loans for the purchase of new buses and the relaxing of the Goods and Services Tax from the transport sector. Meanwhile, Transport Minister Dinesh Gunawardena has ordered state-run depots to resume late night bus services and has also requested private bus owners also to run night services which have been suspended for security purposes. |
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