No bus fare increase despite fuel hike -Welgama
Transport Minister Kumara Welgama said that Sri Lanka Transport Board has to spend an additional cost of Rs. 2.2 million per day due to the recent hike in diesel prices.
The minister was addressing a media briefing in Colombo. The SLTB is now faced with financial difficulties and has reached break-even point. The eight percent diesel price increase will be further increase the pressure and difficulties of the SLTB since it has to subsidize 50 percent of the fuel cost.
According to the Cabinet approval, the SLTB can only increase the bus fare, if the diesel price increased by four percent. However, the diesel price has been increased only by 3.2 percent. Therefore, the SLTB has no right to increase bus fares.
“While the SLTB has no idea of raising bus fares right now it will abide by the National Transport Commission’s decision in this regard, the minister further said.
Courtesy: Daily News
Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
- Permission not given to Chinese ship to dock, India’s concerns important: Sabry September 26, 2023
- Sri Lanka squad named for ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 September 26, 2023
- S&P raises Sri Lanka local currency ratings to ‘CCC+/C’, says outlook stable September 26, 2023
- Sri Lanka President expresses dissatisfaction with country’s current education system September 26, 2023
- Chinese model breaks U.S. hegemony: former Sri Lankan diplomat September 26, 2023
Dear Minister,
Be realistic. How can the SLTB run with a 2.2m
daily loss?
Do not try to be a cardboard Veeraya.Get the Cabinet
approval just to cover up expenditure and let the
public feel the minimum
Barking ones will bark and roaring ones will roar
but the institution has to go on.