PBOA vows trade union action against interference by ‘outsiders’

The Private Bus Owners Association (PBOA) vowed to take trade union action against any minister who interferes in an area that does not come under his authority.

PBOA, Chairman, Gamunu Wijerathne speaking at a press conference yesterday, said that there were certain unwanted remarks by a minister from outside the Transport Ministry on the recent bomb blast in Mount Lavinia.

“The minister concerned has said that the driving licenses of the bus driver would be cancelled. However, the same minister has failed to understand that a huge disaster which could have occurred, had been prevented by the driver and conductor concerned, due to their alertness” Wijerathne said

He also questioned the need for the interference of an outside minister in this matter , when the President of the country had already appointed a Transport Minister, as well as a non cabinet minister and a secretary to look into the matter.

Wijerathne further said that the PBOA would be grateful if ministers who are interfering in other ministries, could look into the corrupt practices of the higher officials in the Transport Authority, “If they are really interested in pointing fingers, then they should look into the corrupt practices of certain officials in the Transport Authority rather than making unnecessary statements,” he said.

Meanwhile he also criticised a certain organizer of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party in Mt Lavinia, for encouraging a woman to claim and spread the news that she was the first to witness the suspicious bag in the bus, whereas it was Ajith Peiris who had first detected the bag.

Wijerathne further said that the same organiser had been at her house instructing what kind of steps to be taken with regard to the injured people, without visiting the place of the incident.

“How can a person give such instructions without even going to the place where the incident occurred?,” he asked. He added that he was not afraid of speaking the truth and giving the public the real picture as he was in Mount Lavinia till 5 p.m. last Saturday.

He also said that the government wanted to take a different view and politicise the entire incident without trying to allay the fears among the public of travelling in buses. “Normally a government takes steps to prevent pessimistic feelings and fears among the public, but instead the government is trying to create more fear among the people,” Wijerathne added.

“The government should convey the truth rather than creating a false picture in the public’s mind,” he said.