Drivers' strike disrupts traffic

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 09 February 1999, 13:58 GMT]
Public transport was disrupted in the Mannar district this morning following a strike called by bus drivers who were protesting against assault by the Sri Lankan Army (SLA).

The problem started yesterday when a bus taking students of the Jaffna university and of the Palaly Teachers' Training College from Mannar splashed the water in a pothole by accident on two SLA soldiers who were trying to overtake in their motorcycle near Uyilankulam on the road to Vavuniya.

The soldiers stopped the bus, dragged out the driver, P.Sivarajasingham, and took him to the Uyilankulam camp where he was severely and indiscriminately assaulted.

He was later ordered by the SLA to drive the bus to Vavuniya with the students.

The driver collapsed upon arrival in Vavuniya and was immediately admitted to the hospital for treatment.

His colleagues went on strike this morning in protest, bringing all public transport to a halt.

The strike was called off later in the morning following negotiations with higher authorities who promised to inquire take action on the matter.