COLOMBO, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka will increase bus fares by 12.19 percent from midnight on Monday following a recent rise in fuel prices, a senior minister said on Monday.
Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said the minimum bus fare will increase from 27 rupees (about 0.09 U.S. dollars) to 30 rupees, while the maximum fare will rise from 2,159 rupees to 2,422 rupees.
The National Transport Commission (NTC) said earlier that the recent fuel price increase had significantly affected the bus fare revision formula.
NTC Director General Nilan Miranda said the fuel price adjustment pushed fare revision above the 10 percent threshold required for a change in current bus fares.
Several bus associations had called for the fare increase to take effect from Sunday. Bus unions warned they could withdraw services on Monday if authorities fail to approve the fare increase.
Meanwhile, three-wheeler fares also increased in line with the latest fuel price revision announced by the government.
State-run Ceylon Petroleum Corporation revised fuel prices from midnight on Saturday. (1 Sri Lankan rupee equals 0.0032 U.S. dollars) ■