Ashok Leyland bags 500-bus contract from Sri Lankan government

Ashok Leyland has bagged a supply order for 500 buses to the Sri Lankan Transport Board (SLTB). As part of the order, commercial vehicle manufacturer recently delivered 75 buses. The order is a part of a Line of Credit extended by Export Import Bank of India, under the Economic Assistance Scheme of Indian Government.

The first batch of buses in the project was handed over by Gopal Baglay, Indian High Commissioner, Sri Lanka to Bandula Gunawardana, Minister of Transport & Highways Affairs, in Colombo on January 5, 2023. The event was attended by other senior dignitaries including Cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament and Umesh Gautam, CEO, Lanka Ashok Leyland.

Amandeep Singh, President – International Operations, Ashok Leyland said, “More than 5,000 Ashok Leyland buses are currently in operation with SLTB. These new 32-seater buses are expected to be put into operation in rural routes throughout the island. Ashok Leyland buses and trucks are also manufactured in Sri Lanka, and the brand ‘Lanka Ashok Leyland’ is well known among Sri Lankans for their daily transportation requirements.”

Sri Lanka Transport Board is the state-owned, single-largest bus transport provider with 110 depots throughout the Sri Lankan island, and operates buses in city routes, hilly and rural routes and also long distance inter-city routes.