Nearly a decade after they were imported at massive cost for the 2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Colombo, nine out of 35 luxury buses have finally been restored and redeployed for passenger transport. The move comes as the government attempts to salvage value from a controversial purchase that once symbolized extravagance and waste.
The fleet of 35 super luxury buses was brought down in 2013 under the Mahinda Rajapaksa administration to ferry CHOGM delegates between venues and hotels. Official records show that billions of rupees were spent not only on the buses but also on extensive infrastructure projects to host the high-profile summit.
Once the event concluded, however, the majority of these buses were left idle at depots, deteriorating without any accountability or clear plan for their use.
At a ceremony held yesterday at the Katubedda Super Luxury Tourist Depot, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena confirmed that nine buses had been repaired at a cost of Rs. 375 lakh.
He said the government had already procured spare parts to restore the rest of the fleet and expressed confidence that all remaining buses would return to service within the next three months.
“The buses brought for CHOGM had been withdrawn from service. Today, nine of them have been renovated and redeployed. There is a high demand for long-distance services to destinations such as Galle, Matara, and Kandy. These buses will initially run 5,000 km of short-distance services before being assigned to long-distance routes,” Minister Gunasena explained.
The government’s decision highlights a stark contrast between past misuse of public funds and present efforts to maximize resources.
Analysts point out that the original procurement reflected a lack of planning, as vehicles intended for foreign dignitaries ended up wasting away for years. Critics argue that such neglect illustrates a broader culture of impunity that has plagued state expenditure.
In addition to restoring the buses for intercity travel, Minister Gunasena announced that the government plans to expand rural transport networks, in line with the President’s vision of strengthening connectivity across underserved regions. “Reliable public transport is essential for both urban and rural populations. These buses, once symbols of waste, can now be put to productive use,” he said.
For many citizens, the reactivation of these buses offers a glimpse of accountability long overdue. While questions remain about the billions lost during CHOGM preparations, the current government’s move to repurpose idle assets signals a pragmatic step towards efficiency in public transport
