20 June 2021 07:40 pm
A limited number of buses and trains will resume operations within provinces, tomorrow after the lifting of the currently-imposed island-wide travel restrictions from 4.00 am.
Accordingly, buses and trains will operate until the restrictions return on June 23 at 10.00 pm. The travel restrictions will be re-imposed again at 10.00 pm on June 23 till 4.00 am on June 25.
Meanwhile, the Railway Station Masters' Union (SLRSMU) said the arrangements have been made to operate trains from tomorrow until Wednesday (23).
Trains were off the track for nearly a month. "Seven trains will run on the coastal line (Aluthgama, Panadura, Mount Lavinia and Moratuwa), six in the mainline (Ambepussa, Meerigama, Veyangoda and Gampaha) and four trains will be on the Kelani Valley line (Avissawella, Padukka to Colombo) in the morning.
The same trains will return in the evening to take the commuters back. Trains on the Puttalam line (Puttalam, Kochchikade and Negombo) will also operate tomorrow," the SLRSMU said.
Moreover, Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) Chairman Kingsley Ranawaka said all depot heads have been advised to assign buses as per requirement of the passengers.
He also said that this is not the ideal time to resume public transport.
Before restoring the transport services, it is better to take tangible action to control the pandemic situation.
The private bus operators have also said that they will assign their buses considering the number of people coming to the roads. (Chaturange Samarawickrame)