Special Transport Services In place for Post-New Year Return

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Special transportation services were launched from this morning to facilitate the return of people to Colombo after spending the Sinhala and Tamil New Year holidays in their hometowns.

According to Sanjeewa Nandana, Chairman of the National Transport Commission (NTC), the recent Ditwah cyclone significantly disrupted up-country railway operations, forcing a massive influx of commuters to rely on bus services instead.

To manage this shift during the New Year season, the NTC scaled up its response. While a typical year sees around 1,250 extra buses, this year’s rail disruptions prompted the deployment of 1,500 additional buses within Colombo to supplement regular schedules.

Meanwhile, the SLTB has generated Rs. 1 billion in revenue within six days through the provision of New Year transport services.

Special railway services will also remain in operation until the 19th to assist people returning to Colombo after celebrating the New Year in their hometowns.

Accordingly, these special train services are operating on the Anuradhapura–Colombo Fort, Kankesanthurai–Anuradhapura, Matara–Maradana, and Beliatta–Maradana routes.

According to Asanka Samarasinghe, Controller of Sri Lanka Railways, the department is prioritizing a smooth transition back to regular commuting following the New Year holidays.

He confirmed that on April 16 and 17, office trains will maintain their standard morning and evening schedules. 

To accommodate the holiday return rush, several special services are scheduled for the evening of April 19, specifically targeting passengers traveling from Matara and Anuradhapura back to Colombo.

Railways services are expected to be operating in full capacity by the morning of April 20, with the same volume of trains operated as seen on a standard weekday.