70 trains will run within provinces tomorrow: SLSMU

The Railways Department has decided to operate 70 trains from tomorrow, the Sri Lanka Station Masters' Union (SLSMU) said.

They stated that the decision was made due to an increase in the number of commuters using trains last week, as well as to assist commuters in maintaining social distances to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Accordingly, 11 train services on the main line from Ambepussa, Mirigama, Veyangoda and from Gampaha to Colombo Fort, 12 trains on the coastal line from Aluthgama, Kalutara South, Wadduwa, Panadura, Moratuwa and Mount Lavinia. 

Five trains on the Kelani Valley line between Avissawella and Padukka. There are eight trains on the Puttalam line between Kochchikade and Negombo.

Arrangements have been made to run the train to Colombo Fort and Maradana in the morning and the same trains will make their return journey from Colombo Fort and Maradana in the evening.

"Though the Department of Railways has planned to run trains between  provinces (from Kandy to Fort, Beliatta to Maradana and Maho to Fort) from June 28 for the convenience of commuters traveling on essential services, the National COVID-19 Prevention Committee did not grant approval for it," the SLSMU said. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)