During a discussion on the operation of the Jaffna Long-Distance Passenger Bus Terminal, it was decided that, effective 1st August 2025, all long-distance bus services—both Sri Lanka Transport Board and private—will operate from the Long-Distance Bus Terminal. Meanwhile, all local bus services, including those operated by the Sri Lanka Transport Board and private companies, will function from the Central Bus Terminal, which is currently used by the Sri Lanka Transport Board,” announced the Governor of the Northern Province, Hon. N. Vethanayahan. He further stated that regular monthly discussions will be held to address any challenges that may arise during implementation and to find appropriate solutions.
A discussion regarding the operation of the Long-Distance Bus Terminal was held at the Governor’s Secretariat on the evening of Monday, 21 July 2025. Opening the discussion, the Chairman of the Northern Provincial Road Passenger Transport Authority, Mr. K. Maheswaran, stated that although it was previously decided—during a meeting chaired by the Honorable Governor of the Northern Province on 17 January 2025—that both private and Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) buses would operate from the Long-Distance Bus Terminal under a unified timetable starting from 1 February 2025, the decision has not yet been implemented. As a result of this delay, the Long-Distance Private Bus Owners’ Association has filed a legal case against the Northern Provincial Road Passenger Transport Authority and the SLTB in the Provincial High Court
He further stated that, following a letter sent by the Northern Provincial Governor and a discussion held on 4 July 2025 with the Hon. Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation, Mr. Bimal Rathnayake, the Minister issued specific instructions to the Chief Executive Officer of the Sri Lanka Transport Board, Mr. Mahesh Kulathilaka. The Minister also directed him to coordinate with the Northern Provincial Governor and other relevant stakeholders to take necessary action to ensure the effective operation of the Long-Distance Bus Terminal.
Chief Regional Manager of the Sri Lanka Transport Board, Mr. K. Ketheesan, stated: ‘Prior to attending this meeting, we held discussions with the Chief Executive Officer of the Sri Lanka Transport Board, Mr. Mahesh Kulathilaka, who visited from Colombo, as well as with all trade unions representing the Northern Region. The unions did not agree to relocate operations to the Long-Distance Bus Terminal. Although a unified timetable has been prepared for the entire Northern Province, and they are willing to depart according to this timetable from a common location, they are unwilling to move from the existing Jaffna Central Bus Station currently used by the Sri Lanka Transport Board. Our staff are firmly opposed to operating a combined service from the Long-Distance Bus Terminal, and we are not in a position to act against their will.’
President of the Northern Sri Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association, Mr. S. Sivaparan, stated: ‘Although the Sri Lanka Transport Board initially refused to cooperate in Mannar and Vavuniya, we are now operating together successfully in those areas. A similar approach should be adopted in Jaffna, taking into account the city’s traffic congestion and its long-term development goals. Unfortunately, the Sri Lanka Transport Board has disrupted several meetings where important decisions had already been made. As private operators, our focus is on serving the public while earning a living. We firmly believe that both parties should collaborate and operate from the Long-Distance Bus Terminal for the greater benefit of the people.’
The Northern Provincial Deputy Director of the Urban Development Authority, Mrs. J. Surenthi, stated that the Long-Distance Bus Terminal was established with the mutual consent of both the Sri Lanka Transport Board and the Private Bus Owners’ Association.
At this point, Mr. P. Jayaraj, General Manager of the Northern Provincial Road Passenger Transport Authority, highlighted that the Sri Lanka Transport Board and the Private Bus Owners’ Association had formally agreed to this arrangement in a letter issued by the Chairman of the Urban Development Authority in 2021.
At this time, Mr. P. Kengatharan, Chairman of the Jaffna Regional Bus Companies Association, stated, ‘In 2013, during a meeting held at the Jaffna District Secretariat, the current Chief Regional Manager, Mr. K. Ketheesan, agreed to and signed the agreement to establish the Long-Distance Bus Terminal. It is surprising that he is now claiming to have only signed the attendance register.
At the same time, Mr. R. Jayasekaran, President of the Jaffna Chamber of Commerce, pointed out, ‘From 2013 until the foundation stone was laid in 2017, numerous discussions took place regarding the construction of this bus terminal. I was present during those discussions, and at no point did the Sri Lanka Transport Board raise any objections to the establishment of the Long-Distance Bus Terminal.’
Meanwhile, the Northern Provincial Governor stated, ‘Since the Sri Lanka Transport Board operates from the Long-Distance Bus Station, they will not experience any loss of income. Furthermore, the Jaffna Central Bus Station currently used by the SLTB does not belong to them; it remains state land under the control of the Divisional Secretary. Despite this, shops have been illegally established there, and rent is being collected by the Sri Lanka Transport Board—an improper practice. Do we want to live in a society where law and order are disregarded? True leadership lies in guiding the trade unions and ensuring they provide proper service to the public.’
Jaffna District Coordination Committee Chairman’s Coordinator, Mr. S. Kapilan, stated, ‘Everyone here is aware of the problems caused by the shops surrounding the Jaffna Central Bus Stand. Many officials must have received complaints about the unpleasant incidents occurring in these areas at night. Furthermore, meetings should not simply be a formality to endorse decisions already made. Both private and Sri Lanka Transport Board services should operate from the Long-Distance Bus Terminal under a joint timetable, while local services can continue from the existing bus stand. Additionally, GPS devices should be installed on all buses to facilitate effective monitoring.’
S. Srivageeshan, representative of Honorable Minister Bimal Ratnayake, stated, ‘Although it has been claimed that the shops at the Central Bus Stand were provided for livelihood, this is clearly not the case. Some shop owners also possess larger shops nearby. He further emphasized that a joint operation of bus services by both parties will better serve the needs of the public.’
Jaffna District Secretary, Mr. M. Pratheepan, said, ‘Bus services are implemented for the benefit of the people; therefore, decisions must prioritize the public’s welfare. The Long-Distance Bus Terminal offers numerous advantages to the community. While the Sri Lanka Transport Board has raised some concerns, we are committed to addressing any issues that arise during the implementation of this project and ensuring its progress. It is time to move beyond complaints and confusion and focus on effective execution.’
Sri Lanka Transport Board Chief Regional Manager, Mr. K. Ketheesan, stated, ‘We are facing numerous challenges in implementing the combined service in Vavuniya. Despite a court order mandating separate spaces at the bus stand for the Sri Lanka Transport Board and the private sector, this directive has yet to be enforced.’ He further questioned who would be responsible for implementing such measures in Jaffna.
S. Kabilan, Coordinator of the Jaffna District Coordination Committee Chairman, requested that Vavuniya and Jaffna not be compared. He explained that Vavuniya serves as a gateway for many bus routes, whereas Jaffna is the final destination. Therefore, he urged everyone not to confuse the two by drawing comparisons.
Jaffna District Secretary, Mr. M. Pratheepan, emphasized that the court order’s non-implementation in Vavuniya should not be seen as a precedent for Jaffna. He assured the Northern Regional Manager of the Sri Lanka Transport Board that the authorities in Jaffna are committed to fully enforcing the court order.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Sri Lanka Transport Board, Mr. Mahesh Kulathilaka, stated that the issues raised during discussions with the trade unions, as well as in the current meeting, will be brought to the attention of Hon. Minister Bimal Ratnayake, who oversees the matter. He assured that a decision will be announced soon..
The Governor concluded by announcing that, effective August 1st, services to external districts and provinces will resume from the Long-Distance Bus Terminal, while local services will continue from the current bus terminal. This will be implemented according to a timetable mutually agreed upon by both parties.
The discussion was attended by Mrs. Thanuja Murugesan, Chief Secretary of the Northern Province; Mr. S. Saththyaseelan, Secretary to the Governor of the Northern Province; Mr. A. Sothinathan, Secretary of the Northern Province Local Government Ministry; Mr. M. Pratheepan, Jaffna District Secretary; Mrs. Mathivathani Vivekanantharaja, Mayor of Jaffna Municipal Council; Mr. S. Kapilan, Coordinator to the Jaffna District Coordination Committee Chairman; Mr. S. Srivageeshan, representative of Hon. Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake; Mr. Marapana, Jaffna Regional Deputy Inspector General of Police; Mr. S. Sudharsan, Jaffna Divisional Secretary; Mr. S. Krishnanendran, Jaffna Municipal Council Commissioner; Mr. S. Jayamana, Jaffna Regional Senior Superintendent of Police; Mr. K. Maheswaran, Chairman, Northern Provincial Road Passenger Transport Authority, Mr. P. Jayaraj, Manager of the Northern Provincial Road Passenger Transport Authority; Mr. Mahesh Kulathilaka, Chief Administrative Officer of the Sri Lanka Transport Board; Mr. K. Ketheesan, Chief Regional Manager; and Mr. J. Lambert, Operations Manager of the Sri Lanka Transport Board; Mrs. J. Surenthi, Deputy Director of the Northern Provincial Urban Development Authority; Mr. S. Sivaparan, President of the Northern Sri Lanka Private Bus Owners Association; and Mr. P. Kengatharan, Jaffna Regional President of the Federation of Associated Bus Companies.
