No passenger trains will be running this weekend

COLOMBO: Authorities in Sri Lanka are suspending all passenger train service on Saturday and Sunday as COVID-19 cases surge in the capital and its suburbs.

The general manager of Sri Lankan Railways, Dilantha Fernando, said Friday that trains will be halted on Saturday and Sunday.

Restrictions have also been placed on public buses.

Authorities have locked down many parts of Colombo and surrounding areas since last month and have closed schools and key public offices.

Police have been strictly enforcing the regulations and have arrested more than 100 violators.

The recent surge came from two clusters — one at a garment factory and other at a fish market.

A 70-year-old man, who died at Colombo General Hospital, was reported on Friday by authorities as the 74th victim.