Sri Lanka Police have announced a special traffic plan for the annual Navam Maha Perahera of the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo, with road restrictions and diversions scheduled for the evening of January 31 and February 1.
Police said the traffic plan will be in effect from 6.30 p.m. on both days to facilitate the religious procession, which is expected to draw large crowds and cause significant congestion in central Colombo.
According to the Police Media Division, the Perahera will assemble along W.A.D. Ramanayake Mawatha, Park Street and Jinarathana Mawatha before commencing the procession route from Jinarathana Mawatha near the temple. The procession will proceed via Hunupitiya Wewa Road, W.A.D. Ramanayake Mawatha, Sir James Peiris Mawatha, Altair Avenue, Staple Street and Baybrook Place before concluding at the Gangaramaya Temple.
Several roads will be closed or restricted during the procession, including key junctions such as W.A.D. Ramanayake Mawatha–Hunupitiya Wewa Road Junction, Dharmapala Mawatha–Park Street Junction and Union Place–Hyde Park Corner Junction. Entry restrictions will also be enforced on multiple connecting roads and junctions along the Perahera route.
Police have advised motorists using Sir James Peiris Mawatha to use alternative routes via Union Place, Nawam Mawatha, Uththarananda Mawatha and Dharmapala Mawatha to avoid disruptions.
Authorities said traffic diversions will be enforced only within the Perahera route and vehicular movement will be allowed in areas where the procession is not in progress. The public and motorists have been urged to cooperate and follow designated alternative routes to minimise inconvenience. (Newswire)