The Cabinet has approved an equity investment of Rs. 1.0675 billion in Lanka Metro Transit (Private) Limited as the company prepares to add 112 low-floor buses to its Colombo urban transport network from September.
Lanka Metro Transit, a subsidiary of the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), was incorporated in October 2025 as part of efforts to modernise Sri Lanka’s public transport system.
The company currently operates a pilot urban bus service in Colombo using 10 low-floor buses procured under the Clean Sri Lanka programme. According to the government, the pilot service has demonstrated commercial viability and gained public acceptance.
With another 112 low-floor buses scheduled to be added from September, the government has identified the need to expand supporting infrastructure and operational capacity.
Of the approved investment, Rs. 800 million will be provided in 2026 for infrastructure development, while a further Rs. 267.5 million will be allocated in 2027 to support operations.
The investment will finance the development of a fully equipped central workshop at Ekala and modern bus depots at Thalangama, Kadawatha, Ratmalana and Homagama. It will also cover improvements to internal roads and bus parking facilities.
The Cabinet approved the proposal submitted by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development to provide the equity capital required for the expansion.
