The government expects to restore public transportation services to near-normal levels by December 31, according to Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake.
While achieving 100 percent restoration may be challenging, the minister said efforts are underway to resume bus operations on nearly all routes before the end of the year to help normalize daily life for the public. “We believe train services can resume up to Chilaw by the end of the month,” Rathnayake said during a visit to the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) depot in Chilaw.
He noted that the complete destruction of the Iranawila bridge had disrupted transport across the Puttalam District. “Work is already underway, and with support from the Indian government, we hope to install a Bailey bridge at the site by December 20,” he added.
The minister also stated that the Chilaw depot was the only SLTB facility submerged during the recent floods, resulting in damage to several buses. (Newswire)