Over 1,600 buses for election work
 

by Rajmi Manatunga

The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has released over 1,600 buses for the Presidential Poll. SLTB Manager Operations C. Alahakoon told the Daily News that buses from most SLTB depots have been released for election.

"These buses will be used to carry ballot boxes to and from polling centres and to transport election officials," he said. Meanwhile, there was a dearth of buses at the Colombo Central Bus Stand yesterday with people waiting for buses to travel home to cast their vote.

"There was a shortage because a large number of buses had been released for election duty. Therefore, we deployed a fleet of new buses purchased from India for long distance services," Alahakoon said. The Railways Department said that trains will be operated according to the usual schedule today and tomorrow.