by Suresh Perera A shortage of automobile tyres in the market is driving motorists round the bend amidst complaints that dealers still holding stocks have inflated prices in the backdrop of existing import restrictions. The worst affected are owners of small cars, many of whom derive an income by operating passenger taxi and affiliated services. “We have no option but to ground our vehicles and be deprived of earnings to care for our families”, some passenger taxi services operators complained. There is also the risk of facing legal action as the traffic police are now examining tyres of passenger vehicles on the roads following the bus accident at Passara, they noted.