Plans to lay off half the State owned bus workers got the Cabinet nod while analysts expect donors will fund the move.
The Central Transport Board (SLCTB) and the cluster bus companies employ a mammoth 41,000 people, half of whom are redundant.
Successive governments have stuffed the State venture with their political supporters despite its inability to support as many employees.
Government is discussing with a donor to finance the mass retirement of bus company workers on a voluntary basis.
Sri Lanka Central Transport Board (SLCTB) Chairman Nihal Perera told LBR that Cabinet sanction for a massive Voluntary Retirement package to make state bus transport a viable venture.
CTB says the f41, 000 employees are in charge of running around 3700 busses averaging a staggering 11 employees per bus.
Private sector bus operators only employ two people per bus.Although the Sate transport sector might not be able to match that ratio its chairman says four employees per bus is a realistic