Sri Lanka launches ‘Bustaurant’ service to boost tourism

Dhaka: A ‘Dambulla Bustaurant’ bus service was launched in Pelwehera, Dambulla on January 15, with a view to providing tourists visiting Dambulla and Sigiriya tourism zones with a unique experience. It allows travelers to enjoy restaurant facilities while touring the region.

Central Province Governor Prof SBS Abayakoon and Religious Affairs Deputy Minister Gamagedara Dissanayake inaugurated the bus service. The bus follows a planned route starting from Pelwehera, traveling through Digampathaha, Kimbissa, Sigiriya, and Inamaluwa, before returning to Pelwehera.

The Central Province Tourism Department introduced the ‘Dambulla Bustaurant’ program based on concepts used globally to promote the tourism industry.

At the inauguration ceremony, Governor Prof Abayakoon said, 100,000 tourists arrived in the country within the first 12 days of this year. He expressed confidence that the country could reach three million tourist arrivals this year – which it failed to do last year due to a cyclone, falling short by half a million tourists.    

Tourists traveling along rural routes to historic sites, while enjoying food and beverages inside the bus and experiencing a relaxed journey

He further explained that the provincial authorities are currently improving existing tourism centers and introducing new ones across the Central Province. As part of the efforts, Governor Abayakoon emphasized that the ‘Dambulla Bustaurant’ is the first program of its kind to be implemented in Sri Lanka.

Through this service, tourists can travel along rural routes to historic sites such as Dambulla, Pelwehera, Inamaluwa, Kimbissa, Sigiriya, and Pidurangala, while enjoying food and beverages inside the bus and experiencing a relaxed journey.

Along the route, visitors are also given the opportunity to view scenic reservoirs such as Randenigama, Ibbankatuwa, and Kandalama, as well as paddy fields.

T