Special train, bus services for perahera

Ishara MUDUGAMUWA

Sri Lanka Railways will launch special train services from Colombo to Matara and Colombo to Kandy while SLCTB will launch a special service from Matara to Kataragama and Bandarawela to Kataragama from today to August 2 for people leaving for Kandy and Kataragama to participate in the Esala and Kataragama Peraheras, a Transport Ministry official said.

This is following Transport Minister Kumara Welgama directing the SLCTB and Sri Lanka Railways to launch special bus and train services.

Apart from railway tickets, special receipts including up and down bus tickets of Matara-Kataragama and Bandarawela-Kataragma will be issued at stations at main railway lines. The return ticket will be valid until August 2.

The timetable: Colombo Fort - Kandy (July 28-August 1) Special 1 Departure 9.50am, Arrival 13.11pm; Kandy-Colombo Fort (July 28-August 1) Special 2 Departure 22.10, Arrival 01.50; Kandy-Nawalapitiya (July 28-August 1) Special 3 Departure 23.55, Arrival 1.50; Colombo Fort - Kandy (August 2) Special 4 Departure 7.10, Arrival 10.16; Kandy - Colombo Fort (August 2) Special 5 Departure 18.30, Arrival 21.55; Kandy-Matale (July 28-August 1) Special 6 Departure 13.05, Arrival 14.27; Matale -Kandy (July 28-August 1) Special 7 Departure 15.30, Arrival 16.47; Special 8 Departure 20.45, Arrival 21.35; Kandy-Matale (July 28-August 1) Special 9 Departure 22.00, Arrival 23.09; Special 10 Departure 23.45, Arrival 01.03; Matale-Kandy (August 1) Special 11 Departure 00.30, Arrival 01.50.