Sri Lanka, August 27 – The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) along with local bus companies have started implementing a unified schedule for intercity travel.
The National Transport Commission (NTC) introduced this integrated system starting at the Bastian Mawatha Private Bus Stand in Colombo to enhance service efficiency, minimize passenger wait times, and prevent overlapping routes.
The updated timetable will run along major routes such as Colombo to Chilaw, Puttalam, Anuradhapura, and Jaffna. At first, buses will follow a shared schedule between Jaffna and Colombo, Mannar and Colombo, and Talaimannar and Colombo using the Puttalam route, which serves as a primary link into Colombo.
Buses will begin operating at a particular hour and arrive at their destinations as scheduled, stated Transport and Highways Deputy Minister Dr. Prasanna Gunasena.
The Assistant Minister stated that every SLTB and private bus traveling via the Puttalam route will be tracked with GPS systems, as officials will be stationed to oversee when these vehicles are expected to arrive at particular destinations.
He mentioned that most public transportation buses across the nation are anticipated to follow a single schedule by December 31, 2026, with adjustments planned for the shared schedule based on passenger needs moving forward. Deputy Minister Dr. Prasanna Gunasena added that during this stage, surveillance and information gathering will occur at locations including Katunayake, Thoppuwa, Madampe, Palaviya, Puttalam, Saliyawewa, Anuradhapura New Bus Station, Medawachchiya, and Vavuniya. Measures have been implemented to equip all privately operated buses traveling on the Puttalam route with GPS systems. This move follows repeated reports of bus incidents along the same path.