April 27, Colombo (LNW): A traffic management plan will be implemented across Colombo tomorrow (28), in connection with the concluding event of the “Ehipassiko Walk for Peace,” the Police Media Division has confirmed.
In an official statement, police said the programme is set to commence at 4:00 p.m. at Independence Square in Colombo 07, under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
To facilitate the event, vehicle movement will be restricted from 11:00 a.m. onwards along a number of main roads, depending on prevailing conditions. The affected routes include Baseline Road (from the Bandaranaike Roundabout to Borella Junction), Maradana Road, Nandadasa Kodagoda Mawatha, Ward Place, Zoysa Roundabout, Lipton Roundabout, Dharmapala Mawatha, F.R. Senanayake Mawatha, C.W.W. Kannangara Mawatha, Horton Roundabout, the vicinity of Nanda Motors, Nidahas Mawatha, Premasiri Kemadasa Mawatha, Cambridge Place, the Glass House area, Marcus Fernando Mawatha, Library Junction, Flower Road, Pittala Junction, James Peiris Mawatha, Muttiah Road, Baybrook Road, Staple Street, Gangaramaya Temple Road, as well as all surrounding roads in the vicinity of Gangaramaya Temple.
Sri Lanka Police have urged motorists and the public to use alternative routes wherever possible to ease congestion and reduce inconvenience during the period of restrictions.
The internationally recognised “Walk for Peace,” which commenced on April 22 from Dambulla, will reach its conclusion in Colombo tomorrow. The spiritual procession has journeyed through several major cities, including Kandy, carrying a sacred Bodhi sapling from the revered Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, while promoting messages of unity, compassion, and social harmony.
The concept follows an earlier international initiative, during which more than 200 Buddhist monks undertook a 110-day peace march across the United States, travelling from Texas to Washington, crossing ten states and attracting global attention.
The Sri Lankan event of the “Ehipassiko Walk for Peace” has been organised with state sponsorship. A group of monks led by Venerable Pannakara Thero of Vietnam has arrived in the country to take part in the walk.
Accompanying the monks throughout the procession is a dog named “Aloka,” which has drawn interest as an unusual yet endearing participant in the journey.