Studies that have been carried out over several years have examined the impact of improved transport infrastructure and services on socio-economic development of developing countries, and recognised the close relationship between economic development and the prevalence of an efficient transport system. This is true of transport systems in both urban-metropolitan and rural areas. However, one of the tragedies of development planning in Sri Lanka has been the failure to consider rural transport as a separate sector or subsector and give it the attention that it requires. Another is the tardiness shown in appreciating the different yet specific and urgent needs of the rural population as regards transport infrastructure and services.