Transportation Service

Transportation Services. 

1. Road Transport

Public Bus Services

• Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB): Government-run bus service, serving both rural and urban areas.

• Private Bus Services: Operate on most routes with higher frequency. Buses are categorized into:

• Normal (red/blue buses)

• Semi-luxury (with fewer stops)

• Luxury (air-conditioned, limited stops)

Highways and Expressways

• Major expressways:

• Southern Expressway (E01): Colombo to Matara

• Outer Circular Expressway (E02)

• Colombo–Katunayake Expressway (E03)

• Toll charges apply, but they significantly reduce travel time.

2. Railway Transport

• Sri Lanka Railways (SLR): State-owned rail service.

• Connects Colombo with major cities like Kandy, Galle, Jaffna, Badulla, and more.

• Classes:

• 1st Class (A/C or Observation)

• 2nd Class

• 3rd Class

• Scenic Routes:

• Colombo to Badulla via Kandy and Nuwara Eliya

• Colombo to Galle and Matara along the coast

3. Tuk-tuks and Taxis

• Three-wheelers (Tuk-tuks): Common for short-distance travel, negotiable fares, or meter-based.

• Taxi services:

• Traditional: PickMe, Kangaroo Cabs

• App-based: PickMe, Uber (available mainly in Colombo and suburbs)

4. Ride-hailing and Delivery Services

• PickMe: Offers cars, tuk-tuks, bikes, and even trucks.

• Uber: Operates mainly in Colombo, with car and tuk-tuk options.

• Bolt: Also available in major urban areas.

• Many of these platforms also offer food and package delivery.

5. Air Travel

• Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA): Main international airport near Colombo.

• Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA): Secondary airport, less busy.

• Domestic Flights: Cinnamon Air and Helitours provide charter and domestic flight services.

6. Water Transport

• Limited services, mostly for tourism:

• Boat rides in Bentota, Negombo, Madu Ganga

• Ferries and small boats in lagoons and rivers

• Proposed ferry links between Sri Lanka and India (in progress/planning stages)

7. Logistics & Cargo Services

• Local companies like Aitken Spence, Hayleys Advantis, and Sri Lanka Post offer cargo and courier services.

• International courier services such as DHL, FedEx, and Aramex are available.