Fuel prices increased; bus fares unchanged as three-wheeler operators seek higher charges

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and Lanka IOC increased fuel prices with effect from midnight on November 1, raising the prices of petrol and diesel while leaving kerosene unchanged.

The price of a litre of 95-octane petrol was increased by Rs. 15 to Rs. 490, while 92-octane petrol went up by Rs. 10 to Rs. 424.

A litre of Lanka Auto Diesel was increased by Rs. 5 to Rs. 397, while Lanka Super Diesel rose by Rs. 15 to Rs. 543.

The price of kerosene remains unchanged at Rs. 285 a litre.

Lanka IOC also increased the prices of 92-octane petrol and auto diesel to match CPC prices. The company said revisions to the prices of its other fuel products would be announced later.

Despite the fuel price increase, the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association said bus fares would not be revised.

Association Chairman Gemunu Wijeratne said the increase did not meet the 4% threshold required under the bus fare formula for a fare revision.

He said the industry was already operating at a loss, with short-distance services losing about Rs. 1,000 a day and long-distance services about Rs. 2,000.

“We have taken a policy decision that bus fares will be increased only when the impact under the fare formula reaches 4%. That threshold has not been reached, so legally we cannot increase fares at this stage,” he said.

Meanwhile, the National Joint Three-Wheeler Drivers and Industry Workers’ Association said it would seek an increase in three-wheeler fares following the fuel price revision.

Association General Secretary L. Rohana Perera said the fare for the first kilometre should be increased from Rs. 110 to Rs. 120, while the charge for each subsequent kilometre should rise from Rs. 90 to Rs. 100.

He said the proposal would be submitted to the National Transport Commission and that the association would await its response over the coming days.