COLOMBO, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- The Sri Lankan government will import 2,000 pickup trucks in the first quarter of 2026 to improve transportation facilities for officials working for rural areas, a deputy minister said on Sunday.

Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Ruwan Senarath said there is a severe shortage of vehicles across state institutions.

He noted that in recent months the government has launched several rural development and poverty alleviation programs, and officials are required to travel to rural areas more frequently.

The deputy minister added that the government will also import other vehicles, equipment, and tools needed for rural development. ■