Minister of Transport, Highways and Mass Media Dr. Bandula Gunawardena has instructed the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) Chairman to issue notices of Expressions of Interest (EOIs) in the coming week to deploy 200 electric buses in the Western Province (WP).
For the first time in history, Cabinet approval was recently granted to launch the electric buses in the Western Province.
Dr. Gunawardena said that the Cabinet had previously approved the implementation of a pilot project for 50 electric buses.
The Minister said that according to feasibility studies, such a project was not compatible with the investment cost and investment method, so instead of the first Cabinet approval, the Cabinet approval for a project comprising 200 electric buses was received later.
The Minister also said that this will be the beginning of Sri Lanka’s journey following the universal acceptance that countries should contribute to sustainable development through electric-powered means of transport by 2030, moving away from the use of fossil fuels.