Feb 23, Colombo: Private bus owners in Sri Lanka are currently engaged in discussions to decide whether to increase bus fares following yesterday's increase in fuel prices.

The Private Bus Owners' Association (PBOA) is considering a fare hike, which the Association has been discussing even prior to the fuel price hike.

Head of the PBOA, Gemunu Wijerathna said the Association would issue a statement after discussing and reaching an agreement on the matter.

The PBOA earlier called on the authorities to grant a bus fare hike or to provide a fuel subsidy to the private bus owners.

Wijerathna has observed that the last bus fare hike was in February 2012 and the transport authorities had assured another fare hike in one year's time.

The National Transport Commission (NTC) however has denied permission for a bus fare hike any time soon.