CCC Social Bus Rediscover the delights of the City of Colombo

Launching amidst the season of giving, the Colombo City Centre (CCC) Mall is collaborating with Ebert Silva Holidays (Private) Limited to launch the CCC Social Bus exclusively for all CCC shoppers. Simply hop on the double decker bus to rediscover the beauty of the City of Colombo absolutely free of charge.

A timely venture that will undoubtedly appeal not only to tourists but us locals too, the CCC Social Bus paves the way in introducing free adventures in a city with a few sources of entertainment and adventure that are available to the public at no cost. Speaking at the launch event, CEO of Colombo City Centre, Praveen Methil commented, “This is a strategic move by the Colombo City Centre. The reason why we came up with this is to ensure that each of our shoppers gets to experience our city and learn about its rich history.”

“It gives me immense pleasure to be a part of this unique, innovative and exciting experience, the CCC Social Bus” stated Chairperson of Ebert Silva Holidays (Pvt) Ltd, Rajini de Silva Mendis. “The city of Colombo is a place where so many faiths and cultures live in harmony. The best example is just a few meters away from CCC, at the Slave Island junction. You can see a Buddhist temple, a kovil, a mosque and a church all within walking distance of each other. This richness, heritage and culture of Colombo are what the Colombo City Centre and Ebert Silva Holidays wish to showcase to all the shoppers of CCC.”

The Daily Mirror Life had the opportunity to join the inaugural CCC Social Bus tour that took off amidst much fanfare, complete with a papare band to keep the atmosphere festive and fun. What is immediately apparent is the fact that even to those of us who have lived our entire lives in the CIty of Colombo, admiring it from atop the double decker bus is truly an enjoyable experience. Vantage point notwithstanding, the bus takes you through iconic landmarks in the city, with live commentary by a professional tourist board certified guide. 

The bus will take a route comprising a plethora of monuments including the War Memorial, the Colombo Public Library, the Mayor’s Residence, Nelum Pokuna Theatre, Viharamahadevi Park, Town Hall, Dewatagaha Mosque, Eye Hospital Building, Colombo Cricket Club, National Library of Sri Lanka, Sports Ministry Grounds, BMICH, Replica of Aukana Buddha Statue, 

Sri Lanka Cricket, SSC Grounds, NCC Grounds, Race Course, Royal College, Methodist College, Temple Trees, SLTDA, St Andrews Scots Kirk Church, Hotels, Embassies enroute, Automobile Association, Victoria Masonic Temple, Galle Face Urban Park, Beira Lake Estuary, Presidential Secretariat, Colombo Light House, Sambodhi Chaithya, Ministry of Finance buildings, Old Dutch Hospital, Bank of Ceylon Head office, Prison Cell of last King of Kandy, Kingsbury Hotel, Navy Headquarters, Chatham Street Light House & Clock Tower, President’s House, Cargills Building, Grand Oriental Hotel, Colombo Port, Gaffoor Building, Khan Clock Tower, Air Force Grounds & Head Quarters, Defense Services College, Siva Subramaniya Hindu Temple, Nippon Hotel and the Prime Minister’s Office.

To hitch a free ride on the CCC Social Bus, simply present an invoice of dining / shopping done at any outlet at the CCC to the concierge desk and obtain a free travel pass. The tours will all start and end at Colombo City Centre. The tour lasts approximately 90 minutes and is available during the weekend at 11.30 am, 1 pm and 2.30 pm. During the tour, there will be two stops at the Colombo Museum and the Independence Square, where passengers can choose to hop off at these two stops, explore the locations and re-join the tour on the next rounds.
For more information about this exciting new travel experience, follow the Colombo City Centre Facebook and Instagram pages or ask the concierge desk on your next visit to the Mall!

Pics Waruna 
Wanniarachchi

The tour lasts approximately 90 minutes and is available during the weekend at 11.30 am, 1 pm and 2.30 pm.