its depend machan.normally u should spend 3 hours when u select privet bus.....but u could come Aluthgama within 2 hours when u selected SLTB bus colombo to mathara or katharagama...(i`m normally come my house by train.if u select train ,u`ll come to Althgama railway station within 1.30 hours .my recommend is train...but u should come early , because i`l have to participate interview ) .my home close to bentota .