Shuttle services from Bamba

Workers in HSZ will be permitted to enter with company IDs:

Rajmi Manatunga and Rafik Jalaldeen

COLOMBO: The Transport Ministry will operate a shuttle service from Bambalapitiya to Fort during the SAARC Summit, to facilitate the transport of people when traffic is stopped at the Bambalapitiya Junction for security reasons.

Meanwhile, Colombo Central SSP Ajith Fonseka, said arrangements have also been made to provide alternative shuttle bus services for the public working in the four High Security Zone (HSZ), Katunayake, Fort, BMICH and Kollupitiya.

Workers in the HSZ will also be permitted to enter the area with their relevant company Identity Cards. Buses of the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) will be deployed to carry passengers of coastal line trains, buses and private vehicles stopped at Bambalapitiya to their intended destinations, a Ministry spokesman told the Daily News.

However, he denied speculation that the Colombo Fort railway station will be closed during the three day Summit. The Fort railway station will remain open, and all trains plying on the Main and Kelani Valley lines which are scheduled to reach Fort will continue to operate up to that destination.

The service will be suspended only between Bambalapitiya and Fort, he said. According to the Ministry, commuters who have obtained season tickets to stations beyond Bambalapitiya will be offered free transport in the shuttle service up to the destination specified in such ticket.

The shuttle service will operate from the time the special SAARC traffic plan is implemented, the spokesman added.

SSP Ajith Fonseka said shuttle bus services will be provided 100 yards away from the HSZ for the employees working in the HSZ to their respective organisation or company from July 30 to August 3.

He said however, people will be subject to a thorough security check before entering the above mentioned areas.

Police spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunasekera said employees working at Galadari, Inter Continental and Hilton Hotels should obtain a special pass to enter their destinations in addition to their relevant company IDs and other employees whose offices are in the HSZ could access relevant organisation by presenting their company Identity Cards.

He urged the employees in the HSZ not to bring their vehicles from July 30 to August 3. “Vehicles entering the HSZ’s will be prevented by police during the SAARC summit except those belonging to VIPs.,” he added.

He noted as part of strengthening the security for the SAARC summit around 40 sniffer dogs have been deployed to detect bombs in the Colombo City and its suburbs.

Around 6.000 police personnel will be on duty round the clock and this number can be increased if a need arises.