Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Ratnayake announced that a new gazette notification will soon be issued making it mandatory for all buses—including long-distance passenger buses—to obtain a basic roadworthiness certificate starting January 1, 2026.
He said the roadworthiness test will be required annually, and every bus must secure an official certificate confirming its mechanical fitness.
The Minister noted that the certificate plays a crucial role in police investigations related to road accidents or other incidents, and urged bus owners to have their vehicles inspected at approved inspection centres.
He added that the decision was taken in response to the high frequency of accidents on highways. Once the gazette is issued, buses will not be permitted to operate without a valid fitness certificate, he said.
