The Sri Lanka Police has informed the public that no new devotees will be admitted to the Siri Dalada Vandanawa in Kandy, for any reason.
With the increase in the number of devotees attending the Siri Dalada Vandanawa, the Sri Dalada Maligawa Pilgrimage Committee yesterday informed the public not to visit Kandy city until further notice.
Stating that it has been decided to provide an opportunity for devotees currently waiting in queues to perform their rituals, the Police said that approximately 400,000 devotees are currently waiting in queues.
The Police further said that it has been estimated that it will be Sunday afternoon (27 April), when the people currently waiting in line will complete the veneration of the Sacred Tooth Relic at the Sri Dalada Maligawa.
As such, the Police have requested that devotees not come to Kandy to attend the Siri Dalada Vandanawa.
In the event permission is granted to perform the veneration, the Police said an announcement will be made tomorrow (26 Apr) or on Sunday (27 Apr).
The Siri Dalada Vandanawa, a special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic at the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy, is being conducted after 16 years. The event, inaugurated on 18 April, is scheduled to continue until 27 April. (Newswire)