Editing Transport in Sri Lanka (section)

== Road ==
Roads account for about 93 percent of Sri Lanka's land transport. In 2022, there were {{convert|12,255.401|km}} of A- and B-class roads and {{convert|312.586 |km}} of expressways. The main modes of transportation in Sri Lanka are [[bus]], [[motorcycles]] and [[passenger cars]] (including [[taxi]] service).

=== Classification ===
[[File:B class road in 2016.jpg|thumb|alt=Two-lane road|Single-carriage B-Grade road]]
[[File:Colombo December 2016-3.jpg|thumb|alt=Four-lane city street|Dual-carriage A-Grade road]]
Sri Lanka's roads are graded E, A, B and C.
{|class="wikitable" style="border:1px solid black;"
|-
! Grade
! Description
! Speed limit
|-
|'''[[Expressways of Sri Lanka|E]]'''
|High-speed, high-traffic expressways duplicating heavily travelled A-Grade routes
|{{convert|100|km/h|abbr=on}}
|-
|'''[[List of A-Grade highways in Sri Lanka|A]]'''
|The national highway network
|{{convert|70|km/h|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web|author=Gamini Gunaratna, Sri Lanka News Paper by LankaPage.com (LLC)- Latest Hot News from Sri Lanka |url=http://www.colombopage.com/archive_13A/Jan25_1359131767KA.php |title=Sri Lanka : Sri Lanka to introduce new speed limits on roads |publisher=Colombopage.com |date=2013-01-25 |access-date=2014-02-14}}</ref>
|-
|'''[[List of B-Grade highways in Sri Lanka|B]]'''
|Major provincial roads used as feeders for A- and E-Grade roads
|{{convert|60|km/h|abbr=on}}
|-
|'''C'''
|Local residential roads
|{{convert|50|km/h|abbr=on}}
|}

=== Expressways ===
[[File:E-01 Expressway.jpg|alt=E-01 Expressway|thumb|Dual-carriageway E-Grade road]]
{{main|Expressways of Sri Lanka}}
The [[E01 expressway (Sri Lanka)|Colombo–Matara Expressway]] is a {{convert|126|km|mi|adj=mid|-long}} motorway linking [[Colombo]], [[Galle]] and [[Matara, Sri Lanka|Matara]] which was built in 2011 to develop the economy of the [[Southern Province, Sri Lanka|Southern Province]]. The [[E03 expressway (Sri Lanka)|Colombo–Katunayake Expressway]], [[E04 expressway (Sri Lanka)|Colombo-Kandy Expressway]] and [[E02 expressway (Sri Lanka)|Outer Circular Expressway]] (Colombo bypass road) are under construction, and a Colombo–Padeniya expressway has been proposed. The Sri Lankan government has proposed three elevated highways connecting the three main expressways:<ref name="news.lk">{{cite web |url=http://www.news.lk/news/sri-lanka/1206-sri-lanka-to-construct-three-elevated-highways-to-ease-traffic-congestion |title=Sri Lanka to construct three elevated highways to ease traffic congestion |publisher=News.lk |date=2012-01-12 |access-date=2014-02-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109135243/http://www.news.lk/news/sri-lanka/1206-sri-lanka-to-construct-three-elevated-highways-to-ease-traffic-congestion |archive-date=2013-11-09 }}</ref>
* From [[Kirulapone]] to [[Kadawatha]] (about 19&nbsp;km), connecting the Outer Circular Expressway at Kadawatha and the Colombo–Katunayake Expressway at [[Peliyagoda]]
* From [[Colombo Fort]] to [[Kottawa]] (about 21&nbsp;km), connecting the Colombo–Matara and Outer Circular Expressways at [[Kottawa]]
* From [[Colombo Fort]] to the Peliyagoda interchange on the Colombo–Katunayake Expressway (about 5&nbsp;km)

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Number
! Name
! Start
! End
! Length (km)
! Lanes
! Cost (USD)
! Cost/km (USD)
|-
| align=center |{{Expressway code (Sri Lanka)|01}}
| Colombo–Matara Expressway
| [[Kottawa]]
| Matara
| 126
| 4 (provision for 6)
| 765.4 million
|6.07 million<ref name="Wijesundara opens">{{cite news|last=Wijesundara|first=Janaka|title=Sri Lanka's first highway, Southern Expressway opens|url=http://www.nation.lk/2011/11/27/eyefea5.htm|access-date=9 February 2013|newspaper=The Nation|date=27 November 2011}}</ref> 
|-
| align=center |{{Expressway code (Sri Lanka)|02}}
| Outer Circular Expressway
| Kottawa
| Kerawalapitiya
| 29
| 6
| 1.12 billion
| 38.6 million<ref>{{cite web|title=Outer Circular Highway|url=http://www.rda.gov.lk/supported/expressways/och.htm|publisher=www.rda.gov.lk|access-date=28 Oct 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029202437/http://www.rda.gov.lk/supported/expressways/och.htm|archive-date=2013-10-29}}</ref> 
|-
| align=center |{{Expressway code (Sri Lanka)|03}}
| Colombo–Katunayake Expressway
| [[Kelaniya|New Kelani Bridge]]
| [[Katunayake]]
| 25.8
| 6,4 (provision for 6)
| 291 million<ref>{{cite news|title=Sri Lanka President opens Chinese funded expressway linking Katunayake airport to capital|url=http://www.colombopage.com/archive_13B/Oct27_1382864986CH.php|newspaper=colombopage|date=27 Oct 2013}}</ref> 
| 11.28 million
|-
| align=center |{{Expressway code (Sri Lanka)|04}}
| Colombo–Kandy Expressway<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2012/06/03/govt-to-finalize-colombo-kandy-highway-in-two-months/ |title=Govt. To Finalize Colombo-Kandy Highway In Two Months &#124; The Sunday Leader |publisher=Thesundayleader.lk |access-date=2014-02-14}}</ref>
| [[Kadawatha]]
| [[Katugastota]]
| 98.9
| 4,6<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2011/09/12/news52.asp |title=Sri Lanka News &#124; Online edition of Daily News - Lakehouse Newspapers |publisher=Dailynews.lk |date=2011-09-12 |access-date=2014-02-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930005231/http://www.dailynews.lk/2011/09/12/news52.asp |archive-date=2011-09-30 }}</ref>
|4.5 Billion<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hirunews.lk/97066/construction-northern-expressway-begins|title = Hiru News Official Web Site - Most visited website in Sri Lanka}}</ref>
|Under construction
|}
[[File:The-Expressway at Ja-ela.jpg|thumb|The-Expressway at Ja-ela]]

=== {{anchor|National Highways}}National highways ===
[[File:Marker on the A5 highway in Nuwara Eliya.JPG|thumb|alt=Road with marker, with a horse grazing in the background|Marker on the A5 highway in [[Nuwara Eliya]]]]
{{main|List of A-Grade highways in Sri Lanka}}
{{main|List of B-Grade highways in Sri Lanka}}
Sri Lanka's national highways are graded A or B. A-Grade roads are subdivided as AA, AB or AC.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Road grade!! Length
|-
| '''A''' || '''{{convert|4221.37|km}}'''
|-
|  AA || {{convert|3724.26|km}}
|-
|   AB || {{convert|466.92|km}}
|-
|   AC || {{convert|30.19|km}}
|-
| '''B''' || '''{{convert|7943.65|km}}'''
|-
| '''Total of A- and B-grade roads''' || '''{{convert|12165.02|km}}'''<ref>{{cite web|title=National Highways in Sri Lanka (Class "A" and "B" Roads)|url=http://www.rda.gov.lk/source/rda_roads.htm|publisher=www.rda.gov.lk|access-date=31 Oct 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428015938/http://www.rda.gov.lk/source/rda_roads.htm|archive-date=2016-04-28}}</ref> 
|}
Road density is highest in the southwest, particularly the area around Colombo. Highways are in good condition, with a smooth [[bitumen]] surface and road markings; however, some rural roads are in poor condition. Heavily travelled roads are being upgraded and repaved. Public transport is widely available in many rural areas.<ref name=import>{{cite news|title=Sri Lanka Transport Board to import 2,000 single door buses for rural transportation|url=http://www.colombopage.com/archive_11B/Dec05_1323096445CH.php|access-date=2011-12-06|newspaper=ColomboPage|date=2011-12-05}}</ref>

=== Buses ===
[[File:Sri Lanka Bus.jpg|right|thumb|alt=Red bus on a rural road|Sri Lanka Transport Board bus]]
[[File:Luxury bus sri lanka.jpg|alt=Luxury blue bus|right|thumb|Privately operated luxury bus]]
[[File:LANKA_ASHOK_LEYLAND_SERVICE_BUS_GALLE_SRI_LANKA_JAN_2013_(8929589270).jpg|right|thumb|Privately operated normal bus]]
[[Bus]]es are the principal mode of public transport. Service is provided by the state-run [[Sri Lanka Transport Board]] (SLTB) and privately owned buses. The SLTB has urban and rural routes; in many rural areas, it provides service which would be unprofitable for private operators.<ref name=import/>

Colombo has an extensive, bus-based public transport system, with the Central Bus Stand in [[Pettah, Sri Lanka|Pettah]] as its hub.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/sri-lanka/colombo/transport/getting-there-away|title=Transport in Colombo|work=Lonely Planet|publisher=Lonely Planet Publications|access-date=2009-04-28|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303082845/http://www.lonelyplanet.com/sri-lanka/colombo/transport/getting-there-away|archive-date=2009-03-03}}</ref> The city's road network consists of radial links (or arterial routes), which link the city and district centres, and orbital links intersecting the arterial routes. Most bus routes are on the radial links, without dedicated bus lanes due to high peak traffic volume.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2004/01/23/bus07.html|title=One-way streets in Colombo|last=Cader|first=Fathima Razik|date=23 January 2004|work=Daily News|publisher=The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.|access-date=2009-04-27|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101109230109/http://www.dailynews.lk/2004/01/23/bus07.html|archive-date=9 November 2010}}</ref>  A [[Bus rapid transit|BRT]] system for Colombo has been proposed but not yet implemented.<ref name=Mushtaq>{{cite news|last=Mushtaq|first=Munza|title=Sri Lanka to get a Bus Rapid Transit System courtesy Japan|url=http://www.asiantribune.com/index.php?q=node/924|access-date=2011-12-14|newspaper=Asian Tribune|date=2006-07-05}}</ref><ref name="BRT">http://www.gobrt.org/BRTinAsia.pdf BRT Planned or Under Construction in Asia</ref>

Inter-city routes connect many of the country's major population centres. Some service is available on the E01 and E03 expressways, with modern [[Ashok Leyland|Lanka Ashok Leyland]] buses.<ref name=Toning>{{cite news|last=Perera|first=Chaminda|title=Toning Southern Expressway: Luxury bus service starts today|url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/01/03/news36.asp|access-date=2012-01-04|newspaper=Ceylon Daily News|date=2012-01-03|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130219004552/http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/01/03/news36.asp|archive-date=2013-02-19}}</ref>

In 2011, the SLTB began introducing new buses to replace part of its aging fleet. The Volvo 8400 buses, from Volvo India,<ref>{{cite web|author=Volvo Buses |url=http://www.volvobuses.com/bus/india/en-in/news_and_events/pressreleases_india/_layouts/CWP.Internet.VolvoCom/NewsItem.aspx?News.ItemId=106202&News.Language=en-gb |title=Volvo City Bus Trial Begins in Colombo - press releases India |publisher=Volvo Buses |date=2011-07-13 |access-date=2014-02-14}}</ref> run on major routes in Colombo.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nation.lk/edition/breaking-news/item/3573-more-luxury-buses-in-colombo.html |title=More luxury buses in Colombo |publisher=nation.lk |access-date=2014-02-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222131937/http://www.nation.lk/edition/breaking-news/item/3573-more-luxury-buses-in-colombo.html |archive-date=2014-02-22 }}</ref> The most popular model is the Lanka Ashok Leyland Viking, which is operated by the SLTB and several private companies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=sri%20lanka%20bus&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=sri%20lanka%20bus&sc=8-13&sp=-1&sk=|title = Sri%20lanka%20bus - Bing images}}</ref>

=== Automobiles ===
Sri Lanka modern transportation dates back 120 years, to 1902. When the first ever car entered Sri Lanka 8 HP single cylinder [[Rover Group|Rover]] brought down by Edgar Money, a local British businessman. Roads at the time were barely built and linked only a few key towns around the island. Prior to the 1960s, British and European car brands such as [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]], [[Mini]], [[Rolls-Royce]] and [[Rover Group|Rover]] dominated the post-colonial Sri Lanka automobile market. Purchasing an automobile was once a luxury reserved for the upper crust of society, as vehicle imports was closely regulated, and taxes exorbitant. In the 1960s, there was an abrupt halt to the influx of vehicles to Sri Lanka when the Government banned all imports in order to fix a foreign exchange deficit. However, there have been various car assembly efforts since the 1980s. [[Upali Wijewardene|Upali Corporation]] assembled [[Fiat]] and [[Mazda]] vehicle. However, by the mid-1980s, it was finished.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Upali's fascination with numbers {{!}} The Sunday Times Sri Lanka |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/150215/plus/upalis-fascination-with-numbers-135284.html |access-date=2022-10-18}}</ref>