The National Mineral Policy was prepared for the first time in the year 1999, and the aforementioned policy has been amended in 2023 to cover  matters such as preparing an updated data system related to mineral resources, adding value to the export of minerals, encouraging mineral-related industrialists, extracting mineral resources and managing the environment sustainably, and resolving the issues related to the ownership of the land arising in extracting mineral resources.

The revised National Mineral Policy has been reupdated in line with the manifesto “A Sustainable Resource Utilization – Generation of the Highest Benefit” under the policy statement of the current government” A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life.”

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution presented by the Minister of Industries and
Entrepreneurship to implement the so-formulated “National Mineral Policy—2026.”

It has been decided to implement air-conditioned, low floor board bus service with facilities for people with special needs as a pilot project by utilizing the provisions allocated for the “Clean Sri Lanka” project.

Accordingly, the procurement for purchasing 10 buses has already been awarded and these buses are due in  Sri Lanka on 15-03-2026

It has seemed that the Sri Lanka Transport Board does not have the capability to provide the physical infrastructure and digital
infrastructure necessary for the operation and maintenance of these buses.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution presented by the Minister of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development to implement the project of deploying 100 modern, comfortable, and advanced technology buses for passenger transportation in the Colombo suburbs as an initial step taken to modernize passenger transport, and transfer the relevant 10 buses to the Metro Transit (Private) Company, established under the Sri Lanka Transport Board as per the
Cabinet decision made on 21-07-2025, and to operate this service under this company.