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by Deepal Warnakulasuriya

Transport Ministry has called for views of the private sector bus operators in respect of the draft National Transport Policy, which is due to come into operation, after an approval by the Parliament.

This will give the opportunity to the private sector bus operations to present their grievances to the Minister instead of acting harshly, penalising the commuters who patronise private buses, when they are faced with problems related to their trade. The State Transport Minister Piyasoma Upali told the Sunday Observer that he is scheduled to meet the private sector bus operators on Wednesday (29, May) with a view to find solution to their problems. "Increasing the bus fare or provision of facilities to bus owners will be decided at this meeting after considering the suggestions made by the private sector bus owners," Minister added.

The Minister also said that the national policy drafted by the previous government will be amended, after the meeting.

Lanka Private Bus Owners Association (LPBOA) has demanded the Minister either to bring about a national policy or allow the increase of bus fare by 30 per cent. Failure to respond in their favour might lead to an islandwide strike, the Association has warned. LPBOA Chairman Gemunu Wijeratne said that expenditure has doubled and they incur great loss due to the recent fuel price hike.

The All Ceylon Private Omnibus Operators' Federation, another organisation looking into the interests of the private bus owners say that they would be happy if the Ministry allowed them to increase the bus fare by 25 per cent. According to Federation's Chairman Stanley Fernando the recent price hike has affected "a normal bus almost Rs 600 per day and an Air Conditioned bus more than Rs 1000."

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) expressing its views on the current scenario says that if the CPC does not increase the price of fuel, the Corporation is tend to lose more than Rs 3500 million by the end of the year. " Reluctantly we are compelled to raise the fuel price again, as the international price of crude oil and due to the exchange rate rise", statement issued by the CPC said.

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