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-The Metro Bus Service will be expanded from two to seven routes from September as part of efforts to improve public passenger transport and ensure a more reliable bus service in Colombo and its suburbs, the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development said.The expansion was announced at a media briefing held today at the headquarters of the Lanka Metro Transit Corporation in Sethsiripaya Phase II, Battaramulla.

Five new routes will be introduced: Millennium City–Colombo Fort, Dematagoda–Panadura, Talangama Depot (Battaramulla)–Ekala, Makumbura (Kesbewa)–Pettah, and Kollupitiya–Circular Road, Bambalapitiya.The existing Metro Bus services on the Makumbura–Colombo Fort and Makumbura–Kadawatha routes will continue to operate.The Ministry said the Metro Bus Service will initially focus on Colombo and its suburbs before being expanded to other major cities by 2027. The long-term goal is to establish a modern urban public transport network across Sri Lanka by 2032–2035, with opportunities for private sector participation.The Lanka Metro Transit Corporation also plans to increase its fleet to 122 buses by September 2026 and to 272 buses by the end of 2027. The expansion follows the import of 104 modern, technology-equipped buses under the 2025 Budget to improve the country’s public transport system.

The briefing was attended by Lanka Metro Transit Corporation Chairman U.P. Thilakaratne, Chief Executive Officer B.M. Piyathilaka and Digitalization and Marketing Manager Engineer Ayeshmantha Maduranga.