Respondents granted time to file objections

The Court of Appeal yesterday (Oct 1) granted time to the Respondents till December 2 to file their objections in respect of a Writ Petition complaining of the failure to implement the annual bus fare revision in 2013.

The Bench comprised Justices S. Sriskandarajah (President of CA) and W. M. M. Malinie Gunaratne.

Petitioners N. A. S. Nilanga Jayasinghe and K. L. Kamal Rohana Fernando, who are owners of private buses, cited Transport Minister C. B. Ratnayake, National Transport Commission, its Chairman R. Gunawardena, Ministry Secretary Padmasiri Jayamanne, Finance Ministry Secretary Dr. P. B. Jaysundera, Prof. Amal S. Kumarage of Moratuwa University Transport Logistic Department, Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association President Gemunu Wijeratne and the Attorney General as Respondents.

Upul Jayaratne with Chandamal Rajapakse appeared for the Petitioners who instituted this application on the basis of non-implementation of the Recommendations of the National Fares Policy for bus transport service (annual revision).

An increase of bus fares shall be only given with the approval of the Minister in charge of the subject of transport. However, no single fare stage will be increased by more than 24% until 2004 and more than 18% thereafter.

The Writ application is to challenge the non-implementation of the said recommendations and the failure to implement the annual bus fare revision.

In 2000, a Committee had been appointed by the then Minister of Transport to regulate bus fares. The said Committee submitted a final report to the Minister of Transport on the recommendations to revise the bus fares.

An increase in bus fares shall be only given with the approval of the Minister in charge of the subject of transport. However, no single fare stage will be increased by more than 24% until 2004 and more than 18% thereafter.

Petitioners are seeking the Court to call for the recommendations made by the Ministry of Finance and Planning in relation to the annual increase of bus fares in 2013 from the first five Respondents.

They are also seeking the Court to grant a Mandate of Writ of Mandamus compelling and / or directing the first four Respondents to implement and /or act on the annual revision of bus fares for the year 2013 in terms of the National Bus Fares Policy.