Kadawatha: The newly constructed Kadawatha Metro Bus Depot officially commenced operations today, marking a step forward in the expansion of Sri Lanka’s Metro Bus service in the Western Province.

According to News.LK, the depot was opened under the patronage of Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake, with the participation of officials from Lanka Metro Transit (Pvt.) Ltd and other relevant institutions. The infrastructure development programme is being jointly implemented as an accelerated project by the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat, the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), and Lanka Metro Transit (Pvt.) Ltd to support the expansion of the Metro Bus service.

The Kadawatha facility is the second Metro Bus depot established under the project, following the first depot opened in Thalangama, Battaramulla, on September 4. Under the first phase of the project, Lanka Metro Transit plans to establish four new depots in Thalangam
a, Kadawatha, Ekala, and Ratmalana to increase service capacity and facilitate administrative, operational, and maintenance activities.

The Metro Bus service currently operates Route No. 01 between Makumbura and Kadawatha via Maharagama. Fifteen new Metro buses have been deployed on the route to provide commuters with improved public transport facilities. Speaking at the event, Minister Rathnayake announced that the Metro Bus fleet is expected to increase to 122 buses within this month. A Cabinet proposal has also been submitted to purchase an additional 50 buses, with plans to expand the fleet to 172 buses by the end of this year or early next year.

He further stated that the Metro Bus service is expected to expand beyond the Western Province to Galle, Kandy, and Jaffna in the future. The Minister also mentioned that opportunities would be provided for private sector participation in operating bus services through agreements with Lanka Metro Transit.

Highlighting plans to strengthen the Sri Lanka Transpor
t Board, Minister Rathnayake stated that arrangements are underway to import 600 new air-conditioned buses for the SLTB by the end of this year. An additional 200 buses are expected to be purchased using the Board’s own funds. The Metro Bus project forms a key component of the Government’s programme to modernise public transport, covering the development of bus stops, integrated payment systems, parking facilities, and improved connectivity with other transport services.