Public transport services will resume from today (21) in a limited capacity for those attending to essential services on days when travel restrictions are lifted, State Minister Dilum Amunugama said. He made these statements while speaking to the media in Katugastota, Kandy on Saturday (19). Explaining further, he said the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and private bus owners will operate a limited number of bus services when travel restrictions are lifted, but those would not be allowed to cross the provincial boundaries. He said about 17 train services have been scheduled from today, adding that those too would not cross provincial borders. The Minister also stated that trains would operate from Ambepussa, Meerigama, Veyangoda and Gampaha to Colombo Fort and from Colombo Fort back to those four destinations. Meanwhile,  another two trains each would depart from Avissawella and Padukka Railway Stations. Five trains will operate on the coastal railway line. Those include two trains each up to Hikkaduwa and Negombo. He added that other public transport services hitherto operated for essential services would continue during this period without any change. However, the State Minister requested people to refrain from travelling unless for an essential purpose as the country is not fully open despite easing travel restrictions. It was also mentioned that the private bus owners had conceded that increasing bus fares was not a fair solution in the face of the fuel price hike. He added that a suitable alternative solution would be proposed in the future after discussing with the relevant stakeholders.