Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Dr. Prasanna Gunasena told Parliament today ( November 5) that only around 5,000 of the 7,130 registered buses under the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) are currently fit for operation.
Responding to a question raised by Member of Parliament Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Dr. Gunasena explained that while the SLTB fleet consists of 6,987 ordinary buses and 143 luxury buses, over 2,000 vehicles remain out of service.
The Deputy Minister also detailed the distribution of private buses operating across the island, stating that the Western Province accounts for 5,524 buses, followed by 2,433 in the Central Province, 1,866 in the Sabaragamuwa Province, 1,326 in the Southern Province and 1,324 in the North Western Province.
He added that 1,043 private buses operate in the Uva Province, 976 in the Northern Province, 520 in the Eastern Province and 509 in the North Central Province.
Furthermore, Dr. Gunasena noted that as of October 1, the National Transport Commission (NTC) had issued permits to 2,966 private buses, comprising 1,826 ordinary service buses, 651 luxury buses, 257 semi-luxury buses and 232 super-luxury buses. (Newswire)