Private bus operators demand fuel subsidy or fare hike, threaten strike

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By Editor_1
Chairman of the All Ceylon Private Bus Owners' Association, Gemunu Wijeratne, addressing a media briefing on Tuesday (June 2, 2026) said rising fuel costs and mounting operational expenses had pushed the industry into a severe financial crisis, making it increasingly difficult for operators to remain in service -File

COLOMBO – Private bus operators on Tuesday (2) demanded either a diesel subsidy of Rs 25 per litre or an immediate 5% increase in bus fares, warning that they will launch a strike if the government fails to respond positively to their demands.

Chairman of the All Ceylon Private Bus Owners’ Association, Gemunu Wijeratne, said rising fuel costs and mounting operational expenses had pushed the industry into a severe financial crisis, making it increasingly difficult for operators to remain in service.

Addressing a media briefing in Colombo, Wijeratne said repeated fuel price increases had not been matched by corresponding fare revisions, leaving private bus operators struggling to cover costs.

“The government is operating on borrowed funds, and so are we. Fuel prices continue to rise every month, but bus fares remain unchanged. We are facing a serious crisis, and passengers are also being affected,” he said.

Wijeratne warned that an increasing number of private bus owners were abandoning the sector due to escalating expenses and declining profitability.

He said operators had requested the National Transport Commission (NTC) to approve a fare increase following the latest fuel price revision, but the request had not been granted.

As a result, private bus owners’ associations have held consultations and agreed on a set of demands to be presented to the Ministry of Transport during upcoming discussions.

Among the proposals is a request for a Rs. 25 per litre diesel subsidy for private buses, similar to the daily wage subsidy provided by the government to plantation workers.

“The government provides a Rs 100 daily wage subsidy to estate workers. Likewise, we need support to continue providing an essential public service,” Wijeratne said.

He noted that private buses currently receive fuel through a quota-based allocation system and argued that a targeted subsidy could be implemented through the existing mechanism.

Wijeratne said operators could not afford to wait until the next annual fare revision and insisted that immediate relief was necessary.

“Either we receive a Rs 25 per litre diesel subsidy or bus fares must be increased by 5%. If we do not receive a satisfactory response, we will be compelled to resort to trade union action, including a strike,” he warned.

–ENCL

Editor_1
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