Lanka Metro Transit (Pvt) Ltd has officially denied claims that its Metro buses will be made available for private hire, contradicting an earlier statement made by an official who had been widely interviewed by state media as a project manager attached to the Metro Bus project.

In an official notice, Lanka Metro Transit said information circulating that Metro buses could be booked for private purposes was “incorrect.”

“Metro buses are not available for hire or reservation for private purposes,” the company said, urging the public to rely only on its official communication channels for verified information.

The clarification comes after Sanjaya Dayaratne, who had been interviewed by several state media outlets as a project manager attached to the initiative, said there was a plan to allow members of the public to hire Metro buses for private trips on Saturdays and Sundays once the service became fully operational.

Dayaratne had said the proposed initiative was intended to make better use of the buses during weekends, when regular passenger demand was expected to be lower.

He had further stated that the initiative was still in the planning stage and could be introduced following the full commencement of Metro Bus operations, with members of the public eventually able to make reservations through a designated hotline.

However, Lanka Metro Transit has now rejected the claim, stating that no facility exists for Metro buses to be hired or reserved for private purposes.

The company’s clarification effectively contradicts the earlier comments attributed to the project official. Lanka Metro Transit did not, in its notice, explain whether such a proposal had previously been under consideration or why the project manager had publicly outlined the proposed service. (Newswire)

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A new fleet of 122 Metro buses was officially launched today (29) to operate along seven routes in the Western Province, as part of a government initiative aimed at reducing traffic congestion in Colombo and improving the quality of public transport.

The buses were launched at the Thalangama Metro Bus Depot under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and will operate on designated routes and schedules centred around Colombo.

Announcing the next phase of the programme, Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake said the Government expects to import another 50 buses before the Sinhala and Hindu New Year.

These buses are expected to be deployed for intercity services covering Jaffna, Kandy and Galle.

The Minister also said an urban transport permit system should be introduced as the Metro service expands, with the aim of reducing congestion in major cities. The Government intends to subsequently involve the private sector in the programme.

He also called on mayors to identify and establish suitable parking facilities near relevant bus terminals to promote a Park & Ride system, allowing motorists to leave their private vehicles and use public transport to enter congested urban areas.

Rathnayake further revealed that the Chinese Government has agreed to provide 100 buses to Lanka Metro Transit, following discussions held during President Dissanayake’s visit to China.

The Minister said the Government has invested approximately Rs. 7.5 billion in establishing the Metro service, describing the investment as a sign of the country’s economic strength.

The Metro bus programme originated from a 2025 Budget proposal, which allocated Rs. 3 billion to purchase 100 low-floor buses to modernize public transport.

Of the 122 buses launched today, 104 were received by Sri Lanka, while eight were provided by the Government of Japan.

The initial Metro network consists of seven main routes covering approximately 188.7 kilometres. One of the main objectives is to reduce the number of private vehicles entering Colombo, particularly vehicles carrying only one person.

Meanwhile, the design of a fully digitalized system for Metro bus operations has been completed and procurement has commenced. The system is expected to cover fleet management, passenger information, fare collection and operational monitoring.

Plans for Metro bus depots have also been finalized, while infrastructure development has commenced. The Road Development Authority and Colombo Municipal Council are working on improvements to bus stop facilities.

Minister Rathnayake added that the Government plans to eventually expand the Metro bus project to several other major cities across Sri Lanka. (Newswire)

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The Ministry of Transport has announced that new Metro Bus routes with 104 new buses will be introduced from tomorrow (29), as part of efforts to ease traffic congestion.

According to the ministry, the new services will operate from Millennium City to Colombo Fort, Panadura to Dematagoda Railway Station, Kesbewa to Pettah, and Ekala to Battaramulla.

Metro bus services are currently operating on the Kadawatha–Makumbura and Makumbura–Colombo Fort routes.

The Ministry said a circular route will also be introduced for travel within Colombo, bringing the total number of routes covered by the Metro bus service to seven.

A total of 121 Metro buses are expected to be deployed across the seven routes under the programme.

The Ministry is also looking at enforcing the priority bus lane as part of measures aimed at reducing traffic congestion and improving public transport.

The Metro bus service will initially focus on the Western Province, with plans to subsequently expand the programme to other provinces, including the Jaffna, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, and Galle districts, the Ministry added. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka’s urban transport modernization drive took another step forward yesterday (09) with the opening of the third Metro Bus depot at Ja‑Ela, Ekala.

The new facility, built to support the Metro Bus service aimed at improving efficiency in public transport, was inaugurated under the leadership of Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Prasanna Gunasena, with the participation of Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Anil Jayantha.

According to the Transport Ministry, with the commencement of operations and administrative services at the Ekala depot, 20 new Metro buses are scheduled to be deployed.

The Metro Bus route from Ekala in Gampaha District to Thalawathugoda in Colombo District spans 29.9 km and includes 21 stops, enabling passengers to board at key points such as Thalawathugoda, Battaramulla Junction, Sethsiripaya, Rajagiriya, Borella, Dematagoda, Peliyagoda, Wattala, Ja‑Ela, CTB Junction and Ekala.

Initially launched as a pilot project on two routes, the Metro Bus service has now expanded with five additional routes.

From September, the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, the Sri Lanka Transport Board, and Lanka Metro Transit (Pvt) Ltd will jointly operate services across all seven routes. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka’s second metro bus depot, built in Kadawatha, commenced operations today under the management of the Lanka Metro Transit (Private) Company, established to modernize Sri Lanka’s public transport service.

According to the Ministry of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development, the Kadawatha facility is part of a wider plan to expand metro bus services in the Western Province. 

New running yards are also planned in Ratmalana, while central workstations are to be set up in Talangama and Homagama.

The ministry states the depot system is expected to streamline and improve the efficiency of metro bus operations. In recent months, 104 new metro buses have already been added to the fleet. (Newswire)

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The Cabinet has approved the provision of more than Rs. 1 billion in equity capital to Lanka Metro Transit (Pvt) Ltd to expand its public transport operations and develop supporting infrastructure.

Lanka Metro Transit was incorporated on October 3, 2025, as a subsidiary of the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), with the objective of modernising public transport in the country.

The company has commenced a pilot urban transport service in Colombo using 10 low-floor buses imported under the Clean Sri Lanka programme.

According to the government, the progress of the pilot operation has demonstrated the commercial viability of the service and gained public acceptance.

Lanka Metro Transit is now planning to deploy another 112 low-floor buses from September.

To support the expansion, infrastructure including a fully equipped central workshop and modern bus depots at Kalangama, Kadawatha, Ratmalana and Homagama will be developed. Internal roads and bus parking areas are also expected to be upgraded.

The Cabinet has approved Rs. 800 million in equity capital for infrastructure development during 2026.

A further Rs. 267.5 million will be provided in 2027 for the company’s operations.

The proposal was presented by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development. (Newswire)

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Minister of Transport Bimal Rathnayake told Parliament that the government is preparing to introduce metro buses to Kandy as part of a broader package of transport sector improvements. 

Rathnayake noted that the ongoing expansion of the Central Expressway will extend to Galagedera, with plans to eventually connect the route to Gannoruwa. 

“The expansion ends at Galagedera with an expectation to commence Gannoruwa,” he said, outlining the long‑term vision for the corridor.

He added that work is underway to widen the Galagedera–Katugastota bridge and to construct two flyovers near the Peradeniya bridge. 

Renovation of the old Peradeniya bridge is expected to be completed before the end of this year, enabling trains to resume operations on the line.

He said the initiative is aimed at easing congestion and modernizing public mobility in the hill capital. (Newswire)

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A Sri Lankan passenger with a disability has shared his experience traveling on a metro bus, praising its facilities for persons with disabilities.

Sharing a video of his journey, Thashmika Arosh said the bus provides an allocated space for wheelchair users.

He added that the conductor assisted him by securing the necessary safety belts to prevent his wheelchair from moving while the bus was in motion.

“Persons with disabilities like to do certain things on their own. This facility on the metro bus is one such move. It would be appreciated if more services were developed in a similar manner,” he said.

Arosh further noted that it would be beneficial if metro buses with such facilities were introduced for long‑distance travel as well. (Newswire)

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The Ministry of Transport and Highways has unveiled plans to strengthen the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) fleet with the import of 600 new buses before the end of the year, it was reported. 

According to NewsFirst, the ministry said the shipment will comprise 200 luxury coaches earmarked for expressway services and 400 standard buses to serve regular routes. The consignment is scheduled to arrive by December.

In a separate development, the Ministry confirmed that 104 newly purchased Metro buses have already been dispatched and are expected to reach Sri Lanka by August 15. 

These buses will be equipped with card‑based fare collection systems. Following installation and testing, they are slated to enter service by September 20.

The Transport Ministry states the expansion is aimed at easing passenger demand on both expressways and ordinary roads, while modernizing the SLTB fleet with improved technology and commuter convenience. (Newswire)

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Lanka Metro Transit has introduced new route revisions effective from Thursday (05), adding eight stops across the Makumbura -Colombo and Makumbura -Kadawatha corridors to improve commuter convenience and accessibility.

On the Makumbura-Colombo route, the new stops include Kalalgoda Junction, NAITA (Rajagiriya), Ayurveda Junction, and Hedges Court.

On the Makumbura–Kadawatha route, services will now cover Delkanda, Orion City – Dematagoda, Thorana Junction, and Mahara Junction.

Lanka Metro Transit said the expansion is aimed at easing daily travel for passengers commuting to work, education, and other purposes, while strengthening connectivity across key urban areas. (Newswire)

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Passengers can now monitor the real‑time locations and arrival times of Metro buses through the LMT GO mobile application, Deputy Minister of Transport Prasanna Gunasena said.

Speaking on the launch of the new facility, Gunasena noted that the GPS‑enabled service allows commuters to check when buses will arrive at their stops, view operating bus and fare details, and track estimated travel times to upcoming destinations.

He further said that the initiative is aimed at providing passengers with a more planned, convenient, and reliable travel experience.

The Deputy Minister urged commuters to download the LMT GO app to make use of the new service. (Newswire)

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Lanka Metro Transit has introduced updated route services with newly added stops, effective from today (15), to improve daily travel convenience for commuters.

On the Makumbura–Colombo route, new stops include Pannipitiya, Thalawathugoda, Palam Thuna Junction, and Castle Hospital.

On the Makumbura–Kadawatha route, services will now cover Pannipitiya, Maharagama, Navinna, Kirulapana, Army Hospital Borella, and Dematagoda. (Newswire)

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The Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association has alleged that Rs. 7 billion in public funds are being wasted on the government’s new Metro Bus initiative.

Chairman of the Association, Gamunu Wijeratne, charged that the Metro Bus scheme is implemented by the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) under another name and warned it would further erode the country’s passenger transport system.

“It is because of the SLTB that passenger transport in Sri Lanka was destroyed. Now, by introducing Metro buses, this government is doing the same again. This is how the Treasury is being wiped out. This is a national crime,” Wijeratne said.

He argued that the new buses will not address systemic inefficiencies in public transport, but instead replicate past failures while draining taxpayer money. (Newswire)

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