The Ceylon Private Bus Owners’ Association states that although the operation of passengovernment-affiliatedspended, it is already long-distance throughout the country claiming that it is an essential service.

The owners of large scale government affiliated buses are also using long distance buses near major hospitals in the country, said the President of the Association Gemunu Wijeratne.

He also says that a letter signed by the officials of the Ministry of Health is being used as a license for that.

He said that these buses charge twice as much as the normal fares and it is illegal to exploit passengers.

He also said that the Bribery and Corruption Commission will be informed about this against the Director General of Health Services.

He made these comments at a press conference held in Colombo.