Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association chairman Gamunu Wijeratne has lodged a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over what he described as sustained insults directed at him on social media.
Speaking after lodging the complaint, Wijeratne said he had tolerated the criticism for some time but decided to seek police intervention following requests from members of his association and relatives.
He said his comments on the ongoing Metro Bus project were not aimed at opposing the project, but were based on concerns over its financial viability and the use of public funds.
Wijeratne said he had proposed a similar bus project in 2023 following the economic crisis, with plans to obtain financing from China’s Exim Bank rather than using public funds. He said he had submitted the proposal to the Transport Ministry at the time.
He called for a feasibility study to determine whether the current project would be profitable or place an additional financial burden on the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB).
Wijeratne claimed that the SLTB is currently incurring losses of around Rs. 20 million a day and warned that further financially unsustainable projects could increase the burden on taxpayers.
He also rejected criticism of the buses being used in the project, saying similar low-floor buses had been introduced previously and that public transport issues should be discussed based on technical knowledge rather than appearances.
Wijeratne further claimed that the social media attacks against him were organised and said he expected the police to conduct a fair investigation into his complaint. (Newswire)