The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the procurement of 600 new deluxe air-conditioned buses for the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) to strengthen its intercity and long-distance passenger transport services.
Under the 2026 Government Investment Programme, a budgetary allocation of Rs. 14.4 billion had initially been made for the SLTB to procure 600 new standard-type buses with a seating capacity of between 49 and 54 passengers.
However, following the introduction of new safety specifications for passenger transport buses under the 2025–2026 Road Safety Plan, it was determined that deluxe air-conditioned buses would be more suitable for intercity and long-distance operations.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the procurement of 600 deluxe air-conditioned buses in place of the originally proposed standard-type buses, within the existing budgetary allocation.
