A special traffic management plan and security arrangements have been announced for the 2026 State Poson Festival, which will be held from 26 June to 2 July, centred around the sacred sites of Anuradhapura, Mihintale, and Thanthirimale.
Police said over 3,500 officers will be deployed islandwide, including mobile, foot, bicycle, beat, and motorcycle patrols, to ensure the safety of devotees and manage expected traffic congestion in key areas.
In addition, 150 police lifeguards will be deployed across 24 tanks and reservoirs in the Anuradhapura District, while 120 lifeguards from the Police Marine Division will be stationed across 71 lifeguard units in 31 divisions. Navy personnel, Civil Security Department officers, and volunteer lifeguards will also assist at high-risk water locations.
The police lifeguard service will operate safety zones marked with buoys, warning signs at hazardous locations, public address announcements on water safety, and watch towers at crowded areas to prevent accidents.
Authorities have divided the Poson zone into 10 sectors and introduced a detailed traffic plan for vehicles entering Anuradhapura. Vehicles from Puttalam, Kurunegala, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa, Wilachchiya, and Thanthirimale directions will be routed through designated entry and exit points, including Pandulagama, Pothanegama, Jayanthi Roundabout, and Lolugaswewa.
Alternative routes have also been arranged to ease congestion, with traffic diversions through key junctions and connecting roads around Mihintale and surrounding areas.
A total of 21 official parking areas have been designated for pilgrims:
- Isurumuniya parking area
- Sandahiru Seya parking area
- Sri Maha Bodhiya South Dagaba parking area
- Sri Maha Bodhiya public parking area
- Sri Maha Bodhiya VIP parking area
- Sri Maha Bodhiya East parking area
- Mirisawetiya parking area
- Basawakkulama tank parking area
- Ruwanwelisaya VIP parking area
- Ruwanwelisaya Dansal ground parking area
- Ruwanwelisaya public parking area
- Acker 08 parking area
- Thuparamaya parking area
- Lankarama parking area
- Sandakada Pahana parking area
- Abhayagiriya parking area
- Samadhi Buddha statue parking area
- Kuttam Pokuna parking area
- Jetavanaramaya parking area
- Jetavanaramaya museum parking area
Emergency response and ambulance stations will be established at six key points:
- Anuradhapura Police Station
- Presidential Secretariat area
- Isurumuniya Roundabout
- Jaffna Junction
- Pandulagama Junction
- Pothanegama Junction
Police urged the public to cooperate with traffic instructions and safety guidelines during the festival period to ensure smooth conduct of religious observances and public safety. (Newswire)