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NTC and private bus owners on collision course over proposed fare hike 

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Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) and the National Transport Commission (NTC) are on a collision course over the proposed bus fare hike.The LPBOA has firmly said that bus fares will rise significantly in July, despite potential reductions in fuel prices around the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.

LPBOA Chairman Gemunu Wijeratne said that the private bus industry was currently operating at a loss of Rs. 3 per km. He argued that fare increases were unavoidable given the rising operational costs, including the reintroduction of VAT on buses and skyrocketing vehicle prices. He said that the annual bus fare revision, which takes place in April, June, and July, would see an increase in fares, regardless of the ongoing fluctuation in fuel prices.

“We met the Minister of Transport two weeks ago and made it clear that commuters should prepare for a fare hike in the coming months,” Wijeratne said. “This decision has been reached after an annual review, and the increase will come into effect from July.”

“Transport industry grapples with rising costs, and private bus operators continue to struggle to break even,” he said, adding that the industry’s broader financial challenges could not be ignored though there were some who hoped that falling fuel prices might alleviate some pressure.

In response to the LPBOA’s announcement, Sherini Athukorala, Director of Operations at the NTC, explained that any decision on bus fare increases ultimately lay with the Commission, not the bus unions.

“The process of determining bus fares is under the purview of the NTC. Regardless of what individual unions may propose, the final decision on fare hikes rests with the Commission,” she said.

By Dharmasena Welipitiya and Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon



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Cabinet nod for MOU between Sri Lanka and Romania on the cooperation in the Labour Field

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Romania, a country that has maintained diplomatic relationship with Sri Lanka for several decades in various fields, has become an increasingly popular destination among Sri Lankan skilled and semi-skilled Labour categories, especially in the fields of construction, manufacturing, hospitality, and services sectors.

At present, the recruitment of Sri Lankan workers to Romania is carried out by licensed private employment agencies under the
supervision of the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau. However, since both parties have recognized the need of establishing a more organized and sustainable recruitment method due to increasing  demand, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Government of Romania regarding cooperation in the field of the labour sector with the following objectives.

• Establishment of proper mechanism for recruitment and management of workers.
• Promotion of ethical and transparent recruitment practices.
• Protection of rights and welfare of the migrant workers.
• Facilitation of regular discussions between the formal and relevant authorities ofboth countries.
• Improvement of technical cooperation, skills recognition, and capacity building in the labour sector.

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New circular to replace Management Services Circular No. 01/2019

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The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by  the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance,
Planning, and Economic Development to repeal Management Services Circular No. 01/2019 , dated 15-03-2019, issued regarding the implementation of development projects, and to issue a new management services circular including updated provisions instead.

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Four Chief Prelates urge President to appoint NAO official as Auditor General

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Anura Kumara

Chief Prelates of the Malwathu, Asgiriya, Amarapura and Ramanna Nikayas, in a joint letter addressed to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has expressed concern over the protracted delay in appointing a permanent Auditor General.

The Chief Prelates have said that the appointment of an outsider as the Head of the National Audit Office (NAO) responsible for ensuring transparency and accountability in public finances will be inappropriate.

The Chief Prelates have said that they are of the view that Dharmapala Gammanpila, a senior officer with extensive experience within the Auditor General’s Department, is the ideal candidate for the top post. They have also emphasised that his appointment will strengthen the government’s efforts to promote economic prosperity.

Chulantha Wickramaratne, who served as AG for a period of six years, retired in April 2025. Following his retirement, President Dissanayake nominated H.T.P. Chandana, an audit officer at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, as the AG. The CC rejected that nomination. Subsequently, President Dissanayake appointed the next senior-most official at the NAO Dharmapala Gammanpila as Acting Auditor General for a period of six months. Then, the President nominated Senior Deputy Auditor General L.S.I. Jayarathne to serve in an acting capacity, but her nomination, too, was also rejected. Many an eyebrow was raised when the President nominated O.R. Rajasinghe, the Internal Audit Director of the Sri Lanka Army for the top post. That nomination too was rejected. As a result, the vital position remains vacant since 07 December, 2025.

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