Passenger Transport Vehicles That Travel More Than 5,000 Kilometres Will Have To Undergo Roadworthiness Inspections Every Three Months Under New Safety Requirements Outlined By Transport Minister Bimal Ratnayake.
The Inspections Will Apply To Passenger Vehicles Used For Long Trips, Pilgrimages And Other Transport Services, According To The Minister.
Ratnayake Said The New Checks Aim To Ensure That Vehicles Remain Mechanically Fit To Carry Passengers.
New Checks Follow Accident Investigations
The Minister Said The Government Studied Reports From Several Major Bus Accidents Before Introducing The Additional Requirements.
He Said He Had Reviewed Accident Reports And Spoken With Police Officers And Medical Professionals.
He Also Examined Findings From Motor Vehicle Examiners To Identify The Causes Of Fatal Crashes.
According To Ratnayake, Investigations Into Several Major Bus Accidents Found Serious Mechanical Defects In The Vehicles Involved.
He Said These Findings Led The Government To Introduce Additional Roadworthiness Requirements For Passenger Transport Vehicles.
The Minister Stressed That Vehicle Owners Cannot Ignore Road Safety Rules Because They Own The Vehicle.
“You Can Say ‘My Car, My Petrol’ Within Your Own Compound, But You Cannot Bring That Attitude Onto Public Roads. The Law Applies To Everyone,” Ratnayake Said.
He Said Vehicle Owners Could Make Their Own Decisions About Their Vehicles On Private Property. However, Those Rights Do Not Extend To Public Roads, Where Motorists Must Protect The Safety Of Others.
Accredited Garages Could Handle Inspections
Under The Proposed System, Properly Registered And Accredited Garages Could Take Part In The Inspection And Certification Process.
This Could Create New Work For Qualified Vehicle Technicians And Garages.
After An Inspection, Passenger Transport Operators Would Need To Obtain Certification Showing That Their Vehicles Meet The Required Roadworthiness Standards.
Ratnayake Said Police Officers Would Be Able To Check These Certificates During Road Inspections.
Operators Who Fail To Meet The Requirements Could Face Legal Action.
The Minister Also Said The Cabinet Had Approved New Specifications For Buses Imported Into The Country.
He Said Many Buses Currently In Use Do Not Meet The Safety Standards Expected Of Purpose-Built Passenger Vehicles.
The New Specifications Would Set Safety Requirements For Buses Entering The Country.
Vehicles Designed Mainly To Transport Goods Would No Longer Be Allowed To Enter The Country For Use As Passenger Buses Under The Proposed Standards.
Ratnayake Said Authorities Should Study Road Accidents In Detail And Use The Findings To Introduce Practical Safety Measures.
He Said Even Low-Cost Changes Could Help Prevent Future Road Deaths.
Economic & Regulation Ministerial Update Transport
Last modified: September 19, 2026
