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From midnight on March 23, bus fares across Sri Lanka were increased by 12.19%, ending a temporary suspension of services that had left thousands of commuters stranded nationwide.
The disruption began yesterday morning as private bus operators paused services pending approval for a fare hike, resulting in long queues at major terminals. Operators cited last week’s fuel price increase as the primary reason for their withdrawal, claiming it was financially unviable to continue under the previous fare system.
Under the revised structure, the minimum fare has gone up from Rs. 27 to Rs. 30, while the maximum fare increased from Rs. 2,159 to Rs. 2,422, a rise of Rs. 263.
Cabinet Spokesperson Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa confirmed the new fares, noting that the National Transport Commission (NTC) had calculated that fuel price surges had pushed the existing fare formula beyond the 10% threshold required for adjustment. A Cabinet proposal was submitted and approved on the same day, allowing the fare revision to take effect immediately.
Following the announcement, the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) stated that private bus services would resume normal operations starting March 24. However, yesterday’s halt caused significant inconvenience for commuters, with expressway services largely suspended, forcing passengers to use regular routes. Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) buses continued running as usual.
LPBOA President Gemunu Wijeratne explained that the temporary suspension was a necessary response to rising fuel and maintenance costs rather than a strike. He said short-distance routes incur daily losses of Rs. 5,000–6,000, while long-distance trips lose between Rs. 15,000–20,000.
Wijeratne also highlighted delays in securing Cabinet approval, emphasizing that timely revisions are crucial for maintaining service sustainability. He noted that school transport services, including the ‘Sisu Sariya’ program, were unaffected by the disruption.
Similarly, Sarath Wijitha Kumara, President of the Inter Provincial Bus Owners’ Association, stressed that the suspension of services was unavoidable until fare adjustments were approved and should not be viewed as industrial action.
The incident illustrates the ongoing financial pressures on Sri Lanka’s public transport sector and the direct impact of rising fuel costs on daily commuters.
