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Workers face bus shortage on returning from hometowns after voting
View(s):By Dilushi Wijesinghe
The scarcity of buses following the general election has become a significant concern, as those who went to their hometowns to cast their votes are facing challenges in finding transportation in returning.
Dilukshana, a 25-year-old garment worker from Trincomalee said “I was supposed to vote and take the bus back the next day so that I could work through the weekend and catch up on the work I missed to vote.”
Deserted roads in Colombo Fort Pic by Nilan Maligaspe
Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) Chairman Ramal Siriwardena told the Sunday Times that 50 additional buses are operating from Colombo and Gampaha to areas of high demand such as Hatton, Nuwara Eliya, Badulla and Kandy today. 25 additional buses began operating from Colombo yesterday. “Additionally, we have instructed additional buses to operate within major cities,” he said.
Mr Siriwardena said that 1,017 buses were used for transporting ballot boxes and election officials, while 190 buses were used in deploying police officers. “All these buses have been returned” he said, emphasising that he has instructed for more buses to be added to outstation routes beyond the regular schedule to assist those travelling to Colombo.
The Sunday Times drew attention to the inactive online booking system of the SLTB since the elections. While admitting that there were issues with the website, Mr Siriwardena assured that they are addressing the concerns. “We have held discussions with the team and issued an ultimatum,” he said.
He said that the system was halted two days before the election due to an overwhelming demand, and reserved seats could not be guaranteed. However, he ensured that the system would be operational by Tuesday (26).
1,017 buses were used for transporting ballot boxes and election officials
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