COLOMBO, June 2 -- Private bus operators on Tuesday (2) demanded either a diesel subsidy of Rs 25 per litre or an immediate 5% increase in bus fares, warning that they will launch a strike if the government fails to respond positively to their demands.

Chairman of the All Ceylon Private Bus Owners' Association, Gemunu Wijeratne, said rising fuel costs and mounting operational expenses had pushed the industry into a severe financial crisis, making it increasingly difficult for operators to remain in service.

Addressing a media briefing in Colombo, Wijeratne said repeated fuel price increases had not been matched by corresponding fare revisions, leaving private bus operators struggling to cover costs.

"The government is operating on borr...