Sri Lanka Police has announced the implementation of a special traffic plan in Colombo starting tomorrow (May 12), in conjunction with the 2025 Vesak Festival celebrations. The measures are aimed at managing increased vehicular and pedestrian traffic in and around the main Vesak zones and ensuring the safety of the public.
The Bauddhaloka Vesak Zone, organised by the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress, will be held from May 12 to 14, while the Buddha Rashmi Vesak Zone—jointly organised by the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple and the Prime Minister’s Office—will run from May 12 to 16. Another Vesak zone will be hosted at Braybrooke Place from May 12 to 13.
According to a statement from the Police Media Division, the Bauddhaloka Vesak Zone will span a route beginning at Baseline Road near the Prison Junction, continuing through Borella Junction, D.S. Senanayake Junction, Kanatte Roundabout, and Bauddhaloka Mawatha, and concluding at the Bambalapitiya Junction.
The Buddha Rashmi Vesak Zone will encompass the area from the Kompanya Veediya Police Roundabout to Kumaratunga Munidasa Mawatha, passing through Kompanya Veediya Junction, James Pieris Mawatha, Pittala Junction, and Flower Road up to the Prime Minister’s Office. Surrounding roads including Jinarthana Mawatha, Navam Mawatha, and Perahera Mawatha will also be part of the traffic-managed zone.
Due to the anticipated influx of visitors to Galle Face Green and the surrounding areas, a dedicated traffic plan will also be enforced in Colombo Fort, Port City, and Kollupitiya Junction. On May 12 and 13, traffic flow in these areas will be restricted to one-way routes from 7:00 p.m. onwards.
Access will be granted to residents and vehicles bound for hospitals or other institutions providing essential services. However, container trucks and tipper lorries will not be permitted entry into the designated Vesak zones during this period.
Once traffic congestion subsides, normal two-way traffic operations will resume. The Police also announced that heightened security measures will be in effect throughout the Vesak festival to safeguard devotees and facilitate the smooth conduct of events.
