Daily Mirror - Print Edition

SLTB fleet boosted with 273 repaired buses

01 Jan 2021 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}      

The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB)  has  repaired 273 buses and re-added them to the fleet for passenger transportation, a statement from the President’s Media Division said.


A function to mark the event was held under r the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Galle Face Green yesterday. These buses will be deployed to meet passenger transportation needs in rural areas throughout the country.


The statement said the project based on a concept by State Minister of Vehicle Regulation, Bus Transport Services and Train Compartments and Motor Car Industry Dilum Amunugama was implemented under the guidance of Transport Minister Gamini Lokuge.


In order to rebuild the economy, vehicle imports were restricted after the new government came into power. As a result, there was a shortage of buses for passenger transport. Launched as a solution to this issue, the new project will save foreign exchange spent on importing buses otherwise.


These 273 buses that were out of service at 107 depots island-wide have been repaired at Rs. 115 million.
The project is being carried out by SLTB depots and Lakdiva Engineering with the full support of the Sri Lanka Public Transport Employees Union.