Accessible low-floor buses to be introduced ahead of Sinhala and Tamil New Year

S. P. C. Sugeeshwara, Additional Secretary to the President for the Clean Sri Lanka Programme, announced that arrangements are being made to introduce newly imported low-floor buses designed to assist persons with disabilities before the upcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year.

He made the statement during a special media briefing held today (13) at the Department of Government Information, where officials discussed the launch of the initiative and the steps being taken to incorporate these buses into the country’s public transport network.

Sugeeshwara explained that although the buses are primarily intended to support passengers with disabilities, they will remain open to all commuters. However, he stressed that individuals with disabilities must always be given priority when they are travelling on these services.

Also addressing the media, B. M. Piyathilaka, Chief Executive Officer of Lanka Metro Company, said preparations have been completed to begin the new service from the Makumbura Multimodal Transport Center.

He noted that five routes have been identified for the project, with the first phase expected to operate on two routes: Makumbura–Pettah and Makumbura–Kadawatha.

Piyathilaka further revealed that an order has been placed for an additional 100 buses, which are expected to arrive by August. Another eight buses are also due to be received through assistance from Japan.

Once these buses are delivered, authorities plan to expand the service to additional routes, including Kasbewa–Pettah, Panadura–Town Hall, and Panadura–Battaramulla.