The Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development has announced that the Metro Bus service will be expanded from two to seven routes starting in September, as part of efforts to improve public passenger transport in Colombo and its suburbs.
The announcement was made during a media briefing held at the headquarters of Lanka Metro Transit Corporation in Sethsiripaya Phase II, Battaramulla.
The five new routes to be introduced are:
- Millennium City – Colombo Fort
- Dematagoda – Panadura
- Thalangama Depot (Battaramulla) – Ekala
- Makumbura (Kesbewa) – Pettah
- Kollupitiya – Roundabout Road, Bambalapitiya
The existing Metro Bus services operating between Makumbura and Colombo Fort and Makumbura and Kadawatha will continue without interruption.
According to the Ministry, the Metro Bus service will initially focus on Colombo and its suburbs before being expanded to other major cities across the country by 2027.
The Government’s long-term objective is to establish a modern urban public transport network throughout Sri Lanka by 2032–2035, with the participation of the private sector.
To support the expansion, Lanka Metro Transit Corporation plans to increase its fleet to 122 buses by September 2026 and 272 buses by the end of 2027, including 104 modern buses imported under the 2025 Budget.
