Special SLTB bus services for Poson pilgrims

Chairman of the Sri Lanka Transport Board Ramal Siriwardene said steps had been taken to operate special bus services for the convenience of pilgrims to Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Situlpawwa, Tissamaharama, Thanthirimale and Mahiyangana.

During a visit to the Hatton Depot last morning, he said a fleet of 1000 buses would be deployed to provide transport to the pilgrims. He pointed out that several new buses had been added to the fleet and the income of the SLTB had increased in a large proportion when compared to the previous years. He said the SLTB expected a large income by transporting pilgrims during the Poson festival.

Meanwhile, SSP Anuradhapura, Atula Weerasinghe said a special police contingent of more than 3000 personnel had been deployed to provide protection to the pilgrims visiting the Anuradhapura, Thanthirimale and Mihintale sacred areas.

He said a life guard brigade of 650 police officers had been deployed to provide protection to the pilgrims bathing in tanks and reservoirs. The SSP said police officers in civvies would be deployed to arrest the individuals engaging in illegal activities and that the police Kennel Unit had been called to detect illegal drugs and explosives. He also said VIP and VVIP passes would not be issued to any individual attending the festival and that selling of cigarettes and smoking in the Anuradhapura sacred area had been prohibited. The SSP said the security arrangements would be made on the instructions of Senior DIG North Central Province Ravi Wijegunawardene and DIG Ranjith Pathmasiri.