Sri Lanka container transport rates rise 5 pct after fuel price revision

COLOMBO, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Container Transport Owners' Association has raised container transport charges by 5 percent with immediate effect, following the latest increase in fuel prices.

Association Chairman Sanath Manjula told a media briefing that the revised rates would apply to all container transportation services from Monday.

The adjustment follows a fuel price revision by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, effective from midnight on May 30. Lanka Auto Diesel was increased by 15 Sri Lankan rupees to 407 rupees per liter, while Super Diesel was raised by 20 rupees to 478 rupees per liter.

Diesel is a key operating cost for container transport operators, particularly for cargo movement between ports, warehouses, industrial zones and inland destinations.

The latest rate revision also follows a 20 percent increase in container transport charges announced in March, when the association cited higher fuel prices and rising operating costs.

The latest increase comes as container activity through the Port of Colombo continues to expand. The Sri Lanka Ports Authority said cumulative container throughput from January to April 2026 reached more than 2.91 million TEUs, up from 2.56 million TEUs during the same period last year. In April alone, the port handled 761,096 TEUs, a 22 percent increase from April 2025. Enditem