August 17, Colombo (LNW): The first Kumbal Perahera of this year’s Kandy Esala Perahera will be held tomorrow evening, with police introducing extensive security and traffic arrangements to manage the expected crowds and congestion in the hill capital.
The annual procession will be conducted from August 18 to 28, attracting large numbers of devotees, local visitors and foreign tourists to Kandy. Police said additional personnel would be deployed throughout the festival, with checkpoints, roadblocks and vehicle inspections being carried out at strategic locations.
Authorities will also assist visitors with directions, regulate parking and maintain traffic flow as roads are temporarily closed or diverted during the processions.
Tomorrow’s opening Kumbal Perahera is scheduled to leave the Sri Dalada Maligawa at 6.52 p.m. It will travel along Dalada Veediya, Colombo Street, Yatinuwara Veediya and Raja Veediya before returning to the Maligawa.
Motorists have been advised to plan their journeys in advance, as several roads in and around the city centre will be affected.
Heavy vehicles approaching Kandy from Katugastota will be directed towards Thilak Ratnayake Mawatha through Mahaiyawa Junction and Police Junction. Light vehicles can use D.S. Senanayake Street, entering Yatinuwara Street through Cross Street before turning towards Thilak Ratnayake Mawatha near the Meera Maccam Mosque.
Traffic heading back towards Katugastota will also be able to use Thilak Ratnayake Mawatha from Police Junction towards Mahaiyawa.
Vehicles travelling from Tennekumbura and Ampitiya can take Sangaraja Mawatha towards Wales Park Junction and continue via Ehelepola Kumarihami Mawatha in the direction of Bogambara and Kandy Railway Station. Another entry route into the city is available through Mosque Road from the Rajapihilla Mawatha Junction.
For motorists travelling from Kandy towards Ampitiya and Teldeniya, police have designated a route from the Clock Tower roundabout along Dalada Veediya, past the side entrance to the Queen’s Hotel and the Joy Boat service, before joining Sangaraja Mawatha.
An alternative route will take vehicles from Bogambara Roundabout through Ehelepola Kumarihami Mawatha, Rajapihilla Mawatha and Wales Park Junction before connecting with Sangaraja Mawatha towards Ampitiya and Tennekumbura.
William Gopallawa Mawatha and Old Peradeniya Road will remain available in both directions for traffic travelling between Colombo and Kandy.
Police have appealed to motorists and members of the public visiting Kandy during the Perahera season to follow the temporary traffic regulations, comply with instructions from officers and allow additional travel time.
With the procession continuing for more than a week, authorities expect traffic restrictions and large crowds to intensify as the main Perahera dates approach.