Travel Restriction: NO public transportation services today (25)

COLOMBO (News 1st): The public transport services will NOT operate today (May 25), despite the travel restriction being relaxed. "NONE of the public transport services will operate today (May 25). We received the instructions from the COVID-19 Committee that the travel restriction is being relaxed ONLY for few hours for the people to visit the nearest shop and purchase essential items. Therefore, we were instructed NOT to operate public transport services," Dilum Amunugama, the State Minister of Vehicle Regulation, Bus Transport Services and Train Compartments, and Motor Car Industry told News 1st on Tuesday (May 25). The island-wide travel restriction was relaxed at 4:00 AM today (May 25); the travel restriction will be re-imposed at 11:00 PM tonight (May 25) across the island. However, public transport services allocated for the essential services will operate today. "Public transport services for the public will NOT operate; however, the buses allocated for essential and special services will operate as usual," State Minister Dilum Amunugama further noted. According to the State Minister, only buses from the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and certain private buses obtained on a rent basis, will operate for essential services. "Only SLTB buses will operate for essential services. Certain private buses obtained on rent basis will operate for hospital purposes and Sri Lanka Army," State Minister Amunugama added. Railway operations will NOT operate while the travel restriction is relaxed, the State Minister further noted.