5,000-Bus shortage since 2018 : Bus owners demand tax relief
Sri Lanka has faced a shortage of 5,000 buses since 2018, with the government yet to prioritize addressing the challenges faced by private bus operators, Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) President Gemunu Wijeratne said.
Addressing media, Wijeratne detailed the high costs of importing buses. “The import of a Leyland bus now costs Rs. 17 million, including VAT. This makes operations extremely challenging. To cover costs, the minimum bus fare would need to rise to at least Rs. 50. Ww are not saying fares will be increased—but we simply cannot operate at a loss,” he said.
Wijeratne urged the government to provide tax relief to private bus operators, stressing that the lack of support has led to great financial strain.
He also pointed out that mismanagement in the public transport sector has resulted in an estimated Rs. 500 billion in losses to the country annually.