President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasized the necessity for a rapid transformation of the transport system to create a more efficient, safe, and technologically advanced network, ultimately offering the public a dignified and reliable service.
The President made these remarks during a meeting held yesterday morning (12) at the Presidential Secretariat with officials from the Ministry of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development.
During the meeting, the President was briefed on the Ministry of Transport’s strategic plan, which is structured around five key pillars: economic competitiveness, environmental sustainability, digital transformation, social equity and accessibility, and safety and security. These pillars aim to revitalize the transport sector.
As a solution to Colombo’s severe traffic congestion, the government plans to introduce the Lanka Metro Transit bus service. The necessary infrastructure for this project is currently being developed, with buses expected to arrive by August this year.
The project will initially be implemented as a pilot initiative along six main roads surrounding Colombo, starting in the Western Province and later expanding to the Galle and Kandy districts. Over the next three years, it is anticipated to cover eight major cities.
The pilot project aims to reduce the number of private vehicles entering Colombo daily and encourage public use of transport. The President stressed the importance of identifying dedicated bus priority lanes and maintaining their efficiency as critical to the initiative’s success.
To provide quality services, the President suggested replacing the fragmented existing bus services with a system of transport companies operating under a cluster model. He emphasized that “What individuals seek is the availability of quality transportation services; the manner in which these services are delivered is of minimal interest to them.”
President Dissanayake further noted that Sri Lanka lacks systematically planned cities, having instead developed over time. Therefore, transport management within the existing urban framework requires careful handling. Implementing the bus cluster system is seen as the most effective solution to this challenge.
Under this system, a company would be established to deploy buses, and should any profitability issues arise, the government would support the company. The President emphasized the importance of formal agreements between bus owners, the company, and the government to ensure uninterrupted service.
He also noted that this approach is more practical than incurring substantial costs for procuring new buses.
The President highlighted the significance of designing Multi-modal Transport Hubs (MTH) around the railway network, integrating other transport modes in a coordinated manner. Discussions included modernizing the Kelani Valley Railway line and plans to introduce an electronic system for the expressway network.
Special emphasis was placed on the welfare of transport sector employees, stressing the need for structured service conditions that ensure respect and future security. Formal appointment letters and systematic welfare services, especially for private sector workers, were highlighted as priorities.
Attention was drawn to the existing on-site fine system and the ineffective demerit point system. Despite driver licenses with embedded chips being issued over the past decade, no technological software system was developed to implement a proper demerit point mechanism. The introduction of Gov.pay now provides the capability to rectify this, with a fully operational mechanism expected within six to seven months.
A regulatory framework has been developed for three-wheeled vehicles, taxis, and school vans, which is expected to be presented following consultations with relevant stakeholders.
Issues with the ‘Sisu Sariya’ bus service were also discussed. It was noted that the government allocated LKR 2,200 million for the program in 2025, with LKR 500 million remaining unutilized. Discussions focused on enhancing the efficiency of the ‘Sisu Sariya’ program and expanding it to deliver direct benefits to students.
The establishment of a National Centre for Transport Research and Development, uniting all institutions within the transport sector under a single platform, was also discussed.
The meeting was attended by Minister of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake, Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Prasanna Gunasena, Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development Senior Professor Kapila Perera, senior ministry officials, and heads and senior officers from institutions under the Ministry, including the Sri Lanka Railways Department, the Department of Motor Traffic, the National Transport Commission, and the Sri Lanka Transport Board.
