Metro Bus Service’s Fourth Depot Opens in Ratmalana

The fourth depot constructed under the Metro Depot Project, which was launched to ensure the efficient administration, maintenance and operation of the Metro Bus Service introduced to improve urban transportation in Sri Lanka, was officially opened in Ratmalana today (September 21, 2026).

The new Metro depot, constructed facing Galle Road in Ratmalana, was officially opened to the public under the patronage of Deputy Minister of Urban Development Eranga Gunasekara, with the participation of a number of Members of Parliament and other political representatives from the Colombo District.

Under the project to construct new depot premises, implemented as part of the infrastructure development programme of Lanka Metro Transit (Pvt) Ltd, depot facilities have now been opened for operations in Talahena, Kadawatha and Ekala, in addition to the new Ratmalana depot. The company plans to commence operations at the fifth depot under the first phase of the depot project in Homagama, Colombo District, in January 2027.

Thirty new Metro buses are scheduled to be deployed for urban transport services in Colombo, operating from the newly opened Ratmalana depot.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara said:

‘It has been two years today since the people of this country entrusted the country to a people-oriented administration. Today is a historic day for the country. September 21 is the day on which the people intervened to make a reality both the dream of past generations who sacrificed their lives for the country and the dream of the modern generation that struggled for system change. The dream of our previous generations is gradually becoming a reality, step by step.

‘Under the people’s administration elected by you, this beloved Metro initiative has been created. Along with it, the people of this country have developed a positive attitude towards the Metro initiative, writing poems, slogans and songs expressing their appreciation for it. People have come to love the Metro initiative. Simply putting a new bus on the road does not create such a change. The initiative has gained public appeal as a result of various discussions, decisions, consensus-building and collective efforts, together with an organised programme of implementation. We have planted a small seedling for a new transportation culture in the country. It is necessary to nurture it into a great tree. The future progress of Metro will be successful with everyone’s support.

‘This urban transport service, which began with 10 Metro buses, will be expanded to 122 buses by the 29th of this month. These 122 buses will operate on the seven bus routes introduced so far. Two more bus routes will be introduced very soon, expanding the Metro service to a total of nine routes. Another 50 new Metro buses will be added to the fleet by May 2027.

‘By April next year, we plan to extend the Metro Bus Service beyond the Western Province to major cities such as Galle, Kandy and Jaffna. Before the end of the next five years, the service will also be expanded to Gampaha, Kurunegala, Negombo, Kalutara, Anuradhapura and Matara, with these cities serving as key centres. In addition, steps will be taken to expand the country’s transport services by importing another 100 electric buses from China. New bus services will also be introduced to the towns of Nittambuwa and Kesbewa.

‘A Park-and-Ride concept will also be implemented under the Metro Bus Service as part of a programme to reduce the number of private vehicles entering cities. This will help reduce traffic congestion by decreasing the number of motorcycles and other types of light vehicles entering major roads. Priority will also be given to public transport on the roads, with emphasis placed on improving the efficiency of daily transport services.’

The event was attended by National People’s Power Colombo District Members of Parliament Devananda Sureweera and Samanmali Gunasinghe; Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia Mayor Parakum Shantha; Moratuwa Mayor Nishantha Fernando; former Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, Professor Kapila C. K. Perera; Senior Assistant Secretary of the Ministry, Nayomi Jayawardena; Chairman of the Sri Lanka Transport Board, Attorney-at-Law Sanjeewa Nandana Kanakaratne; Chairman of Lanka Metro Transit (Pvt) Ltd, U. P. Thilakaratne; its Chief Executive Officer, B. M. Piyathilaka; Engineer Gamini Ramawickrama representing NIO Engineering; as well as a number of senior officials from the public and private sectors and residents of the area.