The security forces deployed at the expressways across Sri Lanka have introduced a manual system to charge toll fees from drivers, Army Spokesman Brigadier Ravi Herath said.
The Military and Police were deployed after the All Island Expressways Union launched a one-day token strike based on three key demands today.
Speaking to NewsWire, Brigadier Ravi Herath said as the security forces assumed duties all computerised systems at the expressway toll gates had malfunctioned, while the expressway employees had also taken all the equipment with them.
He further said that hence, the security forces were unable to charge toll fees from the public for two hours after which they implemented a manual system.
“A manual system has been implemented where the security forces record data of the vehicles at the entry point, while a separate note mentioning the vehicle number and entry point is also given to the driver. At the exit point, the vehicle details, entry and exit points, and the money collected are recorded once again by the security forces,” he said.
Brigadier Ravi Herath said, however, that the security forces are unable to issue tickets due to the manual system.
Stating that the steps were taken to minimize the loss in government revenue due to the strike, he added that the collected money will be handed over to the Road Development Authority (RDA) once the strike is called off. (NewsWire)