Govt. to introduce priority bus service for persons with disabilities from April

The government of Sri Lanka plans to start a priority bus service for individuals with disabilities next month. This initiative, led by the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, aims to support the mobility rights of people with disabilities, which have often been ignored in the nation's public transport system. The President’s Media Division (PMD) states that this program aligns with the government's goal of creating "a country that ensures equal opportunities and protects human dignity for all." A budget of Rs. 430.7 million has been allocated for this project, according to the PMD. The main aim of this initiative is to eliminate physical obstacles in public transport and create an environment where people with disabilities can travel safely and independently while fully engaging in society. In the first phase of the project, 10 modern low-floor air-conditioned buses, designed for easy access by wheelchair users, arrived at Hambantota Port on March 10, 2026. These buses are set to be moved to Colombo on March 14 and will be officially given to the Metro Company. Each bus features 33 seats and can hold up to 80 passengers, and they also include special technology to ensure the safety of wheelchair users. The service will begin as a pilot project at the Makumbura Multimodal Transport Centre.