The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has 7,130 registered buses, Deputy Minister of Highways and Transport Dr. Prasanna Gunasena stated.

He made this statement in Parliament today (05), in response to a question raised by MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena.

Of the total, 6,987 are ordinary buses, while 143 are luxury buses, the Deputy Minister said.

However, he revealed that only around 5,000 of these buses are currently in a condition suitable for operation.

Meanwhile, the number of private buses operating in the Western Province stands at 5,524, while 2,433 operate in the Central Province and 1,326 in the Southern Province, Dr. Gunasena stated.

A further 976 private buses operate in the Northern Province, 520 in the Eastern Province, 1,324 in the North Western Province, 509 in the North Central Province, 1,043 in the Uva Province and 1,866 in the Sabaragamuwa Province.

The National Transport Commission (NTC) had issued permits to 2,966 private buses as of October 01.

Accordingly, permits have been issued for 1,826 ordinary service buses, 257 semi-luxury buses, 651 luxury buses and 232 super-luxury buses, the Deputy Minister further stated.