Jaffna city has become increasingly congested and crowded. The responsibility to regulate and streamline this situation lies with everyone. In this regard, long-distance and short-distance bus services need to operate from both the new and old bus stands, stated the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan.
A discussion regarding the operational status of the Jaffna New Bus Stand was held today, Tuesday (14.10.2025), at the Jaffna District Secretariat.
At the start of the discussion, Jaffna District Secretary M. Pradeepan clarified the objectives of the meeting. Speaking thereafter, the Governor noted that Jaffna city hosts a bus stand, a hospital, and commercial buildings, which have led to challenges in the city’s future development. He emphasized the need for cooperation to transform Jaffna city, similar to other district cities, and highlighted the shared goal of reducing traffic congestion. Therefore, bus stand operations must be organized toward this objective.
Parliamentarian and Chairman of the Transport Committee, K. Ilankumaran, stated that the government’s goal is to make public transport responsive to people’s needs. He expressed expectations that both private buses and the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) should work together, and services in the Jaffna district should be conducted on this basis.
Hon. Parliamentarian S. Sritharan noted that experts and public organizations have opined that the bus stand should be relocated from the Jaffna city area.
The Governor further stated that the city’s functionality depends on the bus stand’s operations. By operating short-distance services from the existing bus stand and long-distance services from the new bus stand, traffic congestion in the city can be reduced. Jaffna Divisional Secretary S. Sutharshan also emphasized this view.
The Chief Regional Manager of the SLTB, K. Ketheesan, mentioned that Rs. 500 per day is being collected from each of the 63 shops around the bus stand with the approval of the SLTB Chairman. He also noted that during a meeting chaired by the Divisional Secretary, it was stated that these shops would be removed when the bus stand is redeveloped under the Clean Sri Lanka Project. He further suggested inviting stakeholders for discussions regarding the transition to the new bus stand.
Several matters were discussed during the meeting, and the Urban Development Authority presented its proposals.
It was decided at the meeting to conduct a field survey as the first step toward operationalizing the new bus stand.
The discussion was also attended by Hon. Pariliamentarian Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, representatives from the Urban Development Authority, the Road Passenger Transport Authority, the Traders’ Association, the Private Bus Owners’ Association, and several others.
