Leader of the House and Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake announced in Parliament that the Government will begin installing Artificial Intelligence (AI)-controlled safety equipment in long-distance Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and private buses to enhance passenger safety and reduce road accidents.
Speaking during the debate on the National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill, the Minister said that AI systems designed to monitor driver attentiveness and prevent drowsiness will be installed in an initial batch of 40 buses within the next two months. This pilot initiative will include both state-owned and private buses.
“We are using AI-controlled devices to alert drivers in real time. Unlike CCTV cameras, which rely on human monitoring, AI systems can actively detect signs of driver fatigue or distraction and intervene immediately,” the Minister explained.
In addition to the AI initiative, the Government will implement 85 new transport safety guidelines from July 1, 2025, aimed at improving service standards and ensuring driver vigilance and passenger protection.
Minister Rathnayake admitted that Sri Lanka’s transport system requires major improvements, and said this was part of a broader strategy to modernise the sector and reduce road accidents.
Once the AI system’s effectiveness is confirmed, the Government intends to expand the programme to a larger fleet and other sectors of public transport. The use of AI represents a significant technological advancement in Sri Lanka’s public transportation safety infrastructure.
