Sri Lanka, Sept. 29 -- Public transport should be placed on the same level as Sri Lanka's free healthcare and education systems, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has emphasised, Transport, Highways and Urban Development Minister Bimal Rathnayake said.

Addressing the launch of the new Metro Bus service in Thalangama yesterday (29), Rathnayake said the President had stressed the importance of giving public transport the same priority as the country's free healthcare and education systems during a recent progress review meeting.

He said the President's encouragement had been a major source of strength in taking forward the Metro Bus initiative.

A total of 112 new Metro buses were deployed yesterday on seven routes in the Western Provin...