Japan and Yokohama City donate seven low-floor buses to Sri Lanka

Seven low-floor buses have been jointly donated to Sri Lanka by the Government of Japan and the citizens of Yokohama City, further strengthening the longstanding development cooperation between the two countries and supporting the advancement of the country’s public transport sector.

The buses were officially handed over to the Sri Lankan Government on September 2, 2026, at the joint depot premises of the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and the Metro Company in Thalangama, Battaramulla. The Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, H.E. Akio Isomata, made the handover to the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, Bimal Rathnayake.

The seven buses will be deployed to the Metro Bus Service, which was introduced to improve the efficiency of urban public transport. The service currently operates ten buses in Colombo and its suburban areas, and the addition of the new buses is expected to further enhance its operations.

Lanka Metro Transit (Pvt.) Ltd. plans to introduce another 104 buses before the end of September, increasing the total fleet to 121 buses. The company has allocated Rs. 800 million for the project in 2026. A further equity capital investment of Rs. 267.5 million is planned for 2027 to strengthen and streamline operational activities.

Addressing the gathering following the handover ceremony, Rathnayake said the Government remains committed to people-centred development and the implementation of sustainable projects that directly benefit the public. He emphasized the importance of carrying out responsibilities with dedication and working for the benefit of others, noting that people-centred development remains at the core of the Government's vision.