Demands Grow for Transport Minister’s Intervention in Jaffna BUS Terminal Dispute

Despite the establishment of a new bus terminal in Jaffna, the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) Jaffna Regional Northern Province Workers Union has refused to operate services from the new facility.

Although the Private Bus Owners’ Association has been ready from the beginning to operate services from the new terminal, the SLTB has continuously refused to do so. Furthermore, they have issued a warning that if forced to comply, they would boycott services across the entire Northern Province.

Several meetings have been held under the leadership of the Northern Province Governor to address the matter. However, SLTB representatives have maintained a pattern of expressing willingness to shift operations during discussions, only to retract their agreement once the meetings conclude.

Due to a growing population and increasing congestion in Jaffna city, particularly around the existing central bus stand located near the Jaffna Teaching Hospital, the Urban Development Authority constructed the new bus terminal near the Veerasingham hall to ease traffic and improve accessibility.

At the time of construction, the SLTB had expressed agreement with the relocation. However, the ongoing refusal by the SLTB to begin operations from the new terminal has drawn criticism.

Given that the SLTB is a state-run institution under the central government, stakeholders are urging Minister of Transport Bimal Rathnayake to intervene and resolve the dispute without further delay.