School, Office and Passenger Transport Vehicles Face New Safety Standards

Parliament has approved new regulations aimed at ensuring the technical fitness and roadworthiness of vehicles used for passenger transport services in Sri Lanka.

The regulations cover passenger transport services regulated by the National Transport Commission, Provincial Road Passenger Transport Authorities and the Sri Lanka Transport Board.

They will also apply to vehicles used for school transport, office transport and special tours operated on a hired basis.

The measures, contained in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2489/22 issued on May 19, 2026, introduce minimum standards and specifications relating to the technical condition of such vehicles.

The regulations were discussed at a recent meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Transport, Highways and Urban Development, chaired by Minister Bimal Rathnayake.

The committee noted that ensuring the technical fitness of vehicles has become increasingly important amid the growing number of vehicles operating in Sri Lanka.

Studies of road accidents in the country have also found that serious crashes are caused not only by driver errors but also by mechanical defects and inadequate vehicle maintenance, the committee was told.

The new measures are intended to strengthen inspections and ensure vehicles carrying passengers meet minimum technical and safety requirements.

Rathnayake requested MPs to raise awareness among vehicle owners and the public regarding the new requirements. (Newswire)

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