The Engineering Division of the Pettah Central Bus Stand (CBS) was officially opened on Tuesday (04) with upgraded infrastructure, marking a significant step in strengthening Sri Lanka’s public transport services.

The project was carried out under the “Clean Sri Lanka” National Program, with labor and technical support provided by the Sri Lanka Air Force.

According to Deputy Minister of Transport Prasanna Gunasena, the new facilities aim to:

• Create a safer, cleaner, and more efficient working environment for engineering technicians.
• Improve infrastructure for systematic bus maintenance and repairs.
• Modernize facilities required for daily inspections and servicing.
• Enhance service readiness and reliability of buses.
• Provide passengers with a safe, quality, and reliable transport service continuously.

The Deputy Minister said that the development will further strengthen these objectives, while also serving as a successful example of cooperation among state institutions. 

He further highlighted the contribution of the Sri Lanka Air Force as a key factor in completing the project efficiently.

The upgraded division is expected to improve the overall reliability of bus operations and ensure commuters benefit from a more dependable transport service. (Newswire)

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Deputy Transport Minister Prasanna Gunasena says legal action will be taken against those responsible for damaging facilities at the newly renovated Colombo Central Bus Stand, following reports of organized vandalism.

Speaking during an inspection visit to the premises, the Deputy Minister said that several water taps in women’s washrooms had been removed within a short period after the facility was reopened, raising suspicions of a coordinated effort to damage public property.

He noted that while some incidents could occur due to unfamiliarity with the new facilities, the removal of multiple taps suggested a planned act of vandalism.

“The facility was renovated using public funds, and we cannot allow it to be damaged. Even after replacing the taps, they have reportedly been removed again this morning. This indicates an organized attempt to cause damage,” he said.

Prasanna Gunasena also stated that despite criticism and negative coverage on social media, the government would continue to take steps to protect the newly renovated bus stand and enforce the law against those responsible.

He added that discussions were underway with the Sri Lanka Air Force, which carried out the renovation work, to further strengthen security at the premises for at least three months.

The Deputy Minister further said that additional security personnel and CCTV cameras would be installed to improve monitoring and prevent further incidents.

Meanwhile, he noted that bus operations were continuing despite increased passenger demand, particularly due to disruptions in train services on the Kandy and Badulla routes, which have placed additional pressure on bus services.

Prasanna Gunasena said authorities were working to manage queues and ensure smooth passenger movement, while emphasizing that protecting public property remained a key priority. (Newswire)

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The Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, together with the Chief of Staff, Air Vice Marshal Lasitha Sumanaweera on Tuesday (23 Dec) visited the Colombo Central Bus Stand, Pettah, to inspect the ongoing renovation works. 

This project is being implemented under the Clean Sri Lanka programme, which aims to enhance urban infrastructure and promote environmental cleanliness across the country.

During the visit, the Air Force Commander conducted a detailed inspection of the site, reviewing the progress of the development works and assessing the quality of ongoing construction activities.

Under this initiative, the SLAF is responsible for the complete renovation of the buildings at the Colombo Central Bus Stand, including resurfacing of floors, upgrading infrastructure and developing drainage systems. 

The Commander emphasized the importance of completing the project with the highest standards of quality and transparency, ensuring that all works are executed efficiently, responsibly and within the stipulated time frame. (Newswire)

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