The Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation announced today that the luxury bus service between the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake and the Makumbura Multimodal Transport Centre has resumed operations.

The service, jointly operated by Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd. and the National Transport Commission under the guidance of the Ministry of Transport and Highways, aims to provide efficient, comfortable, and safe transport facilities for both local and foreign passengers.

According to the Ministry, special training programmes have been conducted for drivers and conductors to ensure high‑quality service, while all necessary measures have been completed to enhance efficiency and passenger convenience.

The buses will operate every 45 minutes from 5.15 am to 6.30 pm, with a fare of Rs. 410 and a travel time of approximately 50 minutes.

The Ministry further said that the resumption of the service will provide passengers arriving at and departing from the airport with a more convenient, reliable, and efficient transport option. 

Strengthening connectivity between the airport and major transport hubs is also expected to positively contribute to tourism promotion and the growth of economic activity in the country, it added. (Newswire)

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Two luxury buses worth nearly Rs. 70 million, allegedly purchased using proceeds from drug trafficking, have been frozen under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, while the current owner of one of the buses has also been arrested for allegedly aiding and abetting money laundering, police said.

The Police Media Division said the Illegal Assets Investigation Division carried out the operation following investigations into assets believed to have been acquired using illegally earned money by a suspect involved in organised crime and large-scale drug trafficking.

Police said the main suspect, who had been hiding overseas before being arrested, is currently in remand custody.

Investigations have revealed that the suspect had allegedly purchased several properties under the names of close associates using illegally obtained funds, thereby committing offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

The current owner of one of the buses, a 41-year-old resident of Embilipitiya, was arrested on May 7.

Further investigations are being conducted by the Illegal Assets Investigation Division. (Newswire/ File pic)

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China’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Qi Zhenhong, says China will soon provide 100 modern luxury buses powered by electricity to the country.

He explained that this decision was taken with the aim of reducing the significant environmental pollution caused by fuel usage.

The Ambassador further noted that the price of each bus planned to be supplied is approximately USD 225,000.

Ambassador Qi Zhenhong made these remarks yesterday (22) during meetings with the Chief Prelate of the Malwathu Chapter, Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Thera, and the Chief Prelate of the Asgiri Chapter, Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thera. (Newswire)

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The proposal for the procurement of 200 new super luxury buses for expressway operations of the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has received a Cabinet nod. 

The SLTB has pointed out the urgent need to introduce new buses to its fleet, as nearly 52% of the regular bus fleet and nearly 94% of the luxury bus fleet have exceeded their economic life span. 

Due to the insufficient buses to meet the passenger demand on the expressway, the SLTB is currently operating 61 luxury buses belonging to the private sector on a profit-sharing basis. 

As such, the SLTB has decided to purchase 200 new super-luxury buses using its own funds. The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Transport in this regard.

Per the proposal, 29 super luxury buses are to be purchased through financially capable depots, the remaining buses are to be bought by making a down payment using SLTB funds, and the balance is to be paid in monthly instalments over a period of 5 years. (Newswire)

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The Airport-Fort Bus Employees Union has launched a protest today against the luxury airport bus service launched from the Katunayake Airport to several prominent areas in Colombo.

President of the Union, Indika Gunasekara pointed out that it was not possible to give appointments for new jobs during a period when a presidential election has been announced and the same applies to new buses as well.

Stating that there were 71 buses registered under its union, Indika Gunasekara revealed that 42 of the buses don’t operate daily and that a registered bus operates only 10 days a month.

Indika Gunasekara said that even though their Union had launched an airport bus service previously, it had to be suspended due to security reasons and due to political influences.

Claiming that the chairman of the Western Province Transport Authority has pointed out that there is no need for these buses, Indika Gunasekara alleged that the Ministry of Transport and Highways and the National Transport Commission have launched the new bus service.

The Airport-Fort Bus Employees Union President further said that if there was a real need then the 42 buses currently registered under the Union, which do not operate daily, can be utilized for the new bus service.

Indika Gunasekara added that the bus service provided by his Union charges only Rs. 300 per passenger for one journey, while the new luxury airport bus service charges Rs. 3000 per passenger.

The new luxury airport bus service was launched yesterday connecting the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake with Port City, Fort Railway Station, Colombo Main Bus Stop and the Makumbura Multimodal Transport Centre.

The luxury bus service will commence from the Katunayake Airport and ply along the Colombo – Katunayake Highway without any stops, to the destinations in Colombo. Ten (10) buses have been allocated for the new airport bus service and will cost Rs. 3000 per passenger for a one-way journey. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has planned a special luxury bus service, ‘Kolompura Charika’, covering the tourist zones of Sri Lanka for foreign and local tourists, for the first time in the 66-year history of the institution.

Minister of Transport Bandula Gunawardena engaged in an inspection tour of the buses that are to be deployed for this purpose.

Launching as a pilot project, the first phase of the programme will cover 07 tourist zones in the Colombo District. 

The buses will be equipped with a trained bus driver, conductor and an individual to provide various services onboard.

Minister Bandula Gunawardena has issued directives to the relevant authorities to ensure that tourists can visit the various religious and cultural landmarks in the Colombo District. (NewsWire)

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