“The entire worth of the buses set on fire and destroyed around the country during the protests at Galle Face and Temple Trees is above Rs. 400 million”, said Ceylon Private Bus Owners’ Association (CPBOA) President Gemunu Wijeratne.

He claimed that the fire completely destroyed 50 buses and damaged another 25.

He said bus associations had asked the IGP to arrest those involved in the event right away and bring them to court, and that legal action would be taken against them after the investigation is finished.

He added that inquiries are also being conducted at the Grama Niladhari level. He claimed that the current situation in the country was putting bus owners in a tough position, and that the bus owners were not encouraging any attack on demonstrators; they were simply doing their job by renting out their buses.