Cabinet approves 6.5% hike in bus fares, private bus owners demand 20%
Sri Lanka's cabinet of Ministers has approved revising bus fares following the increase in fuel prices by the government.
Accordingly, the bus fares will be increased by 6.56% from tomorrow, May 16. However, there will be no change in the current minimum fare, Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara said.
However, the Inter-Provincial Private Bus Owners Association said they will launch an all-island strike from midnight today (16).
The Association has decided to start a strike since the cabinet has not approved the revision in fares as they expected.
The Association has earlier pointed out that the bus fares should be hiked by 15-20%. The association also demands that the minimum fare be increased to Rs 15.
The Lanka Private Bus Owners Association had called for a 10% increase.