Sri Lanka, Sept. 14 -- The Commissioner General of Motor Traffic announced yesterday the cancellation of a circular issued on June 2, 2023, which had permitted the fitting of decorations and accessories on passenger buses. The cancellation, effective from September 9, 2025, requires all bus operators to immediately comply with updated regulations.

Modifications to vehicles are not permitted under the Motor Traffic Act. However, the 2023 circular had permitted such modifications as long as prior permission was obtained from the authorities.

The authorities had previously signalled stricter enforcement since August 8, especially targeting passenger buses with dangerous or unauthorised modifications. Special scrutiny is being placed on bus...