'Thinakaran' links North and South
by Jayampathy JAYASINGHE
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Sunday Observer Editor-in-Chief Dinesh Weerawansa issues the
first ticket to one of the passengers on the maiden journey, P.
Parameshwaran Nathan of Wellawatte. Transport Manager of
Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited, Sunil Sendanayake looks
on. - Pic: Sudam Gunasinghe
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The North -South dialogue will be further strengthened with the
Thinakaran Super Luxury bus service scheduled to be inaugurated on
January 4 at the Jaffna bus stand. The regular luxury bus service has
been launched by the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd (ANCL).
The introduction of a super luxury bus service between Colombo and
Jaffna daily at an affordable price will enable more persons to travel
frequently between the two provinces. The idea was the brainchild of
Senior Presidential Advisor and Member of Parliament Basil Rajapaksa to
provide relief to Northern inhabitants and also to build bridges between
the North and the South.
ANCL Transport Manager Sunil Sendanayake said the super luxury bus
service will be launched by Senior Presidential Advisor and MP Basil
Rajapaksa along with the Minister of Social Services and Social Welfare
Douglas Devananda at the Jaffna bus stand on the January 4.
The super luxury bus with 49 seats is equipped with television and
video facilities to provide entertainment for passengers. The one way
fare is priced at Rs 1800 and a discount of 5 per cent will be offered
to those who book both ways. The bus service from Colombo to Jaffna will
commence at 11 p.m. opposite St. Lawrence's Church, Wellawatte where the
ANCL agent's office is located.
The Colombo bound bus from Jaffna will leave at 8 am opposite the
Lake House office at Stanley Road Jaffna. Tickets for the luxury bus
service can be booked at ANCL agents in Kotahena and Wellawatte. A ten
percent discount will be offered for group bookings of 49 seats to
Jaffna and back. |
