SLTB opted to limit service from last night: Chairman

Following the announcement by the Government to impose Inter-provincial travel restrictions, the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) opted to limit its services from midnight yesterday, SLTB Chairman Kingsley Ranawaka said.

Speaking to the media he said though the services were limited, the transport facility would be provided to continue with the essential services such as to commute Government, private and semi-state sector workers to their day-to-day routines.

"It is relevant to limit the long-distance services which passes through several provinces and also decided to limit the Inter-Provincial bus services," Mr. Ranawaka said.

In spite of the limited number of buses, we can still accommodate people who are working in the above sectors, he said.

Those buses do not stop in isolated areas to let in  or let out passengers, Mr. Ranawaka said.

"The SLTB has a fleet of 5,600 buses and currenty, only 4,000 buses are being operated due to the restrictions on long distance services and the other reason being lack of passengers," he said.

Meanwhile, he said that 118 COVID positive cases were reported from various SLTB depots across the country and about 670 close contacts relating to the above cases are serving quarantine formalities in various depots.

We request the commuters to use this limited bus service only for their essential activities, Mr. Ranawaka said.

Quarantine centres for SLTB employees who contracted COVID virus, the Board has established in Kalutara, Kataragama, Anuradhapura and Badulla with the help of the health service authorities. 

"We requested the Government to vaccinate the SLTB workers as soon as possible to prevent the virus spreading among the other employees, Mr. Ranawaka added. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)