Public transport to be restricted on Wednesdays

Colombo, March 17 (Daily Mirror) - Public transport services in Sri Lanka will be limited on Wednesdays declared as government public holidays,  Essential Services Commissioner General Prabath Chandrakeerthi said today.

Speaking on the decision, Chandrakeerthi said the move aligns with the closure of government offices and the absence of students from schools on these days.

He added that requests have also been made to the private sector to minimize commuting on Wednesdays. Discussions have been held with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, urging private-sector institutions to allow work-from-home arrangements wherever possible. This, he noted, would significantly reduce demand for public transport.

“As a result, public transport services will be limited, and the public should use them only for essential travel,” Chandrakeerthi said, emphasizing that priority should be given to critical needs such as travel to hospitals.

He said that the restrictions are intended to ensure that limited transport services are used strictly for essential purposes, in line with the reduced movement expected on Wednesdays designated as public holidays.