Central Bus Stand, Pettah
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Pettah, Colombo 11
Sri Lanka
Central Bus Stand මධ්යම බස් නැවතුම්පොළ | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Location | Olcott Mawatha, Pettah, Colombo 11 Sri Lanka |
| System | Bus station |
| Owned by | Sri Lanka Transport Board |
| Operated by | Sri Lanka Transport Board |
| Platforms | Multiple |
| History | |
| Opened | 1964 |
| Rebuilt | 2026 |
The Central Bus Stand (commonly abbreviated as CBS; also known as Colombo Central Bus Stand or Pettah Central Bus Stand) is the primary public transport hub for long-distance bus services in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Situated in the commercial district of Pettah, it is owned and operated by the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB). It serves as the national focal point for the country's state-run bus network, connecting the capital to all nine provinces.[1]
Bombing in 1987
The terminal was originally constructed in 1964 to centralize the various bus operations that had previously been scattered across the city. For over six decades, it functioned as the busiest transport hub in the country.
During the Sri Lankan Civil War, a car bomb explosion at the Central Bus Stand on April 21, 1987, killed over 113 people and injured many others. Six buses were trapped in the attack, causing numerous passengers to die in the fire as their buses burned.
Renovations in 2025–26
On 15 September 2025, a massive redevelopment project was inaugurated by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake as part of the "Clean Sri Lanka" national programme. The renovation, which cost approximately Rs. 550 million, was carried out with the engineering and labor support of the Sri Lanka Air Force.[2] The project aimed to modernize the aging infrastructure and improve passenger facilities which had deteriorated over decades of heavy use. The renovated terminal was officially reopened to the public on 8 April 2026.[3][4][5]
Facilities
The station consists of two main terminal buildings designed to handle high volumes of daily commuters and long-distance travelers. The ground floor of the primary building functions as the main terminal for bus arrivals and departures. The first floor provides dedicated rest areas for bus crews, including drivers and conductors, while the second floor houses the administrative offices for the SLTB Regional Office and the terminal's operational center. This floor also contains an auditorium, a conference hall, and specialized storage rooms.[6] The second terminal building contains various commercial outlets and retail shops. Its first floor houses modern sanitary facilities and public waiting areas. A unique feature of the 2026 renovation is the inclusion of dedicated accommodation facilities for schoolchildren on the second floor of the second building, divided into separate sections for males and females. A new integrated information center was also established to provide real-time updates on bus, rail, and air transport services.[7]