Colombo, July 5 -- The Lanka Private Bus Owners' Association (LPBOA) has strongly criticized the government's recent bus fare revision, calling it both misleading and meaningless.

Speaking at a media briefing, LPBOA Chairman Gemunu Wijerathne said the 0.55% reduction in fares has turned responsible officials and the government into a "joke" in the eyes of the public.

"This fare revision offers no real benefit to passengers or bus owners," Wijerathne said. "The announcement appears to have been made merely to satisfy ministers and officials, who seem more concerned with job security than meaningful reform."

He claimed the revision was done to mislead ministers and give them a false sense of action, as has happened in previous years. "Pe...