Transport services boosted for Sinhala and Tamil New Year commuters

Authorities have introduced a series of special transport arrangements to accommodate the surge in travel during the upcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year season.

The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) said it will launch additional bus services starting April 9, 2026, to assist passengers heading to their hometowns. Around 250 extra buses are expected to operate daily on long-distance routes, with more vehicles to be deployed if passenger demand increases.

These outbound services will run until April 13. To support travellers returning to Colombo after the holidays, another phase of special bus operations is scheduled from April 17 to April 21, according to the SLTB.

The National Transport Commission (NTC) has also made similar arrangements, confirming that extra buses will be added from April 9 to handle increased passenger traffic during the festive period.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Railways announced plans to introduce special train services beginning April 10. Additional trains will be operated along key routes including the Coastal, Northern, and Main lines, supplementing the regular train schedule to better serve holiday travellers.