Although the islandwide travel restrictions imposed by the Government to control the rapid spread of the Covid-19 virus are to be relaxed tomorrow (25), no passenger trains or buses will be running, according to The Railway Department.
This is despite an announcement by the Railway Department on 23 May that 20 slow trains would be operated on four railway lines to facilitate essential services with the easing of traffic restrictions today.
When contacted by The Morning, General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Station Masters’ Union Kasun Chamara said that the cancellation of the plans for the slow trains was taken on the instructions of the National Operations Centre for the Prevention of the Covid-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) Task Force.
The Department of Railways on 23 May announced that it had taken steps to run only 20 trains covering the four railway lines, the main line, coastal line, Puttalam line and the Kelani Valley line, to facilitate essential services as the travel restrictions are to be eased today.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) Kingsley Ranawaka said that although the travel restrictions are to be eased today, SLTB buses will not run. He also said that this decision was taken on the advice given by the health authorities. However, he added that the provision of transport facilities for those engaged in essential services will continue.
Also, the President of the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association Gemunu Wijeratne told The Morning that private buses would also not run today as per the advice of the health authorities.