The Sri Lanka Police has unveiled a special security and traffic plan for the opening procession of the historic Kandy Esala Perahera, which begins tomorrow (18) and continues until August 28 under the auspices of the Sri Dalada Maligawa.

The plan includes roadblocks, security duties, vehicle and person checks, guidance for pilgrims, and designated parking arrangements to ensure public safety and smooth traffic flow during the festival.

The first Kumbal Perahera will commence at 6.52 pm tomorrow, starting from the Maligawa and proceeding along Dalada Veediya, Colombo Road, Yatinuwara Road, and Raja Veediya, before returning to the Maligawa. The procession route covers a distance of 1.65 km.

Alternative traffic routes during the Perahera are as follows;

• Heavy vehicles from Katugastota → Mahayiyawa Junction → Thilak Ratnayake Mawatha → Police Junction → Kandy city.
• Light vehicles from Katugastota → D.S. Senanayake Veediya → Cross Road → Yatinuwara Road → turn near Meeramakkam Mosque → Thilak Ratnayake Mawatha.
• Vehicles leaving towards Katugastota → Police Junction → Thilak Ratnayake Mawatha → Mahayawa.
• Vehicles from Tennekumbura and Ampitiya → Sangharaja Mawatha → Wells Park Junction → turn at Ahelepola Kumarihami Mawatha → Bogambara → near Railway Station → Colombo (left) or city (right). Entry is also possible via Rajapihilla Mawatha Junction → Palliya Para.
• Vehicles from city towards Ampitiya/Teldeniya → Clock Tower Roundabout → Dalada Veediya → Queen’s Hotel side entrance → past Joy Boat Service → Sangharaja Mawatha. Alternative: Bogambara Roundabout → Ahelepola Kumarihami Mawatha → Rajapihilla Mawatha → Wells Park Junction → Sangharaja Mawatha → Ampitiya/Tennekumbura.
• Vehicles entering or leaving Kandy city towards Colombo → William Gopallawa Mawatha or Old Peradeniya Road.

Police urged the public to cooperate with the traffic arrangements and security measures to ensure the smooth conduct of the Esala Perahera, one of Sri Lanka’s most significant cultural and religious festivals. (Newswire)

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The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to safeguard the historical, cultural, and traditional intellectual property of the Kandy Esala Perahera, one of Sri Lanka’s most renowned cultural festivals.

The initiative aligns with the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) project titled “Promoting Festival Tourism Development through Intellectual Property”, which aims to strengthen the capacity of cultural festival organizers to use intellectual property rights in tourism development while respecting traditions and heritage.

The Esala Perahera, rooted in centuries‑old art forms and knowledge, has been identified as suitable for submission under this programme. Special focus will be placed on copyright protection and trademarks and branding to preserve the festival’s unique identity.

To prepare and submit the project proposal, the Cabinet endorsed the recommendation of the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, under the joint chairmanship of the Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs.

A committee comprising all relevant stakeholders will be appointed to oversee the process, to strengthen both festival tourism and the protection of Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage on the global stage. (Newswire)

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The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) says drones have been prohibited at the 2025 Esala Perahera of the Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) in Kandy.

Issuing a notice, the CAASL said all drone operations over the perahera procession routes are temporarily prohibited.  

The 2025 Kandy Esala Perahera, which commenced yesterday, will continue until 09 August 2025. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Police has introduced an Information Management System for the 2025 Esala Perahera of the Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) in Kandy.

The historic and cultural procession of the “Kandy Esala Perahera” commenced yesterday (30), and will continue until August 8, 2025, featuring a grand street parade. 

According to the Police, as both locals and foreign tourists are eager to witness the Perahera, a security and traffic management plan has been implemented to ensure the safety and smooth operation of the procession.

In line with this, the Sri Lanka Police has introduced the “Kandy Esala Perahera – 2025” Information Management System to facilitate the public who wish to attend the event. 

This system provides real-time information on vehicle parking locations, procession route details, viewing areas for the procession, safety and security measures, and first aid stations and meeting points for attendees.

The Police state that the system is continuously updated by the Traffic Division of the Sri Lanka Police, and the public can access the latest information using the software.

The system could be accessed via the following methods;

1. Visit the official website: www.police.lk and navigate to the “Kandy Esala Perahera” section.
2. Alternatively, use the direct link: https://kandyesalaperahera.police.lk.(Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Railways has announced special train services in view of the Kandy Esala Perahera Festival this year.

According to the Railway Department, the Kandy Esala Perahera will be held from 04-08 August 2025.

Special train services have been introduced with departures from Colombo- Fort, Kandy and Matale, during this period. (Newswire)

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