Christmas and New Year:

Transport services strengthened

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The Sri Lanka Central Transport Board (SLCTB) will deploy over 150 special buses during the forthcoming Christmas and New Year festive season beginning tomorrow.

At least 100 buses will run for the benefit of passengers shopping in the city of Colombo and suburbs and over 40 buses will leave Colombo Central Bus Stand for outstations.

SLCTB Chief Operational Manager N.C.W. Gunawardana told the Sunday Observer that since the present bus fleet is insufficient to cater to the need, steps have been taken to deploy a large number of school buses which are currently lying in depots due to the school vacation.

He said these special bus services will be continued even after the Christmas season.

"In order to provide a continuous and excellent service during this festive season we have also taken a decision to cancel the leave of drivers, conductors and the mechanical staff,"