The recently launched luxury bus service from Katunayake Airport to Fort Railway Station and Makumbura Multimodal Transport Center has been temporarily suspended as of today (19), just four days after its introduction on August 15.
The suspension follows protests from the Airport-Fort Private Luxury Bus Association, which organized a bus strike on the same day the service was launched. The protesting association, along with Katunayake Airport taxi drivers, expressed their dissatisfaction with the new service, arguing that it threatened their livelihood.
In response, representatives from the association approached the Ministry of Transport and Highways and the Election Commissioner’s office to voice their concerns.
Given the protests and broader concerns, the decision was made to halt the luxury bus service after just four days. However, the association behind the protests has announced that 10 of its own buses will now operate from the airport to Fort Railway Station and Makumbura Multimodal Transport Center in place of the suspended service.