Gemunu Wijeratne, head of the Lanka Private Bus Owners' Association, has reported defamatory social media comments to the CID following his public criticism of the Metro Bus project.

The Chairman of the Lanka Private Bus Owners' Association (LPBOA), Gemunu Wijeratne, has lodged a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) alleging defamatory statements made against him on social media platforms. The complaint stems from remarks he made regarding the government's proposed Metro Bus initiative, which he claims prompted hostile online commentary.

In explaining his position, Wijeratne stated that the Metro Bus concept was not original. He indicated that he had previously submitted a comparable proposal to the Ministry of Transport following the 2023 economic crisis, proposing financing through China's EXIM Bank rather than public resources. According to Wijeratne, a similar bus service initiative had been attempted during the administration of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa but was discontinued after incurring significant expenses.

Wijeratne further noted that private companies had imported comparable buses approximately a decade ago, with around 60 vehicles brought into the country at that time. He indicated that approximately 20 additional similar buses remain stored at a facility in Panagoda. He has raised questions about the practical viability and operational costs of the proposed Metro Bus project, particularly regarding fuel consumption requirements.

The CID complaint has been registered amid broader social media discussions surrounding Wijeratne's public commentary on the Metro Bus scheme. His complaint highlights tensions between the bus owners' association and the government's public transport initiative.