Private bus strike cripples transport

Thousands of students, workers and other commuters were stranded on roads yesterday due to a strike launched by private bus operators from midnight Thursday, despite assurances by authorities that only a few private operators would join the strike. Private bus operators last night vowed to continue with the strike today against the unprecedented increase in traffic fines as the government had failed to provide an acceptable solution during talks with representatives of their associations that lasted till late evening. The strike launched by 27 private bus associations included All Ceylon Private Bus Owners Association, Private Bus Workers Association and Inter-Provincial Private Bus Operators Association.