Private bus operators on strike today (August 05)

Passengers travel on the door of a public transport bus in Colombo, Sri Lanka. (Photo by Pradeep Dambarage / NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Several Private Bus Associations have launched an island-wide strike action effective from midnight yesterday (August 04), citing the failure of the authorities to issue sufficient stocks of fuel for bus operations.
The general secretary of the Private Bus Owners’ Association Anjana Priyanjith said they decided to suspend services on routes in protest of the government’s move to reduce the fares when bus operators are supplied with inadequate fuel volumes.
The National Transport Commission (NTC) slashed the normal bus fares by 11.14% effective from midnight yesterday (Aug 04). Accordingly, the minimum fare now stands at Rs. 34.00.
The Inter-Provincial Bus Owners Association, the United Bus Owners Association and the All Ceylon Private Bus Owners Association have joined the strike action, while the general public are left stranded on roads amid adverse weather conditions, affected by the strike.
President of the Lanka Private Bus Owners Association, Gemunu Wijeratne said his association stepped away from services last night.
Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
- Brigadier Franklin Joseph assumes duties as Sri Lanka Defence Ministry Spokesman July 25, 2025
- Sri Lanka slashes driver’s license software contract by Rs. 156 Million July 25, 2025
- Sri Lanka President to undertake state visit to Maldives from July 28 July 25, 2025
- Sri Lanka Police Sergeants caught hunting deer in Wildlife Sanctuary July 25, 2025
- IMF praises Sri Lanka’s economic reforms, warns of rising global risks July 25, 2025