Watawala Tea staff have joined the Kandy Municipal Council’s clean up operations during the Kandy Esala Perahera, helping clear waste left along the procession route after thousands of spectators leave the city each night.

Teams are collecting plastic bottles, food packaging and other discarded material from areas along the Perahera route, supporting municipal workers tasked with restoring the city after large crowds disperse.

The initiative extends Watawala Tea’s involvement in this year’s Perahera beyond serving complimentary tea to spectators. Information provided on the initiative says staff are working alongside municipal teams as part of efforts to keep Kandy clean during one of Sri Lanka’s largest annual cultural and religious gatherings.

The Kandy Municipal Council has been carrying out special day and night cleanliness operations through its Solid Waste Management Department during the Perahera period.

Watawala Tea has also supported the council’s solid waste management staff by sponsoring T-shirts for employees assigned to special Perahera duties. The items were handed over by Nadee Manatunga, Senior Brand Manager of Sunshine Consumer Pvt Ltd, to Kandy Mayor Chandrasiri Wijayanayaka, with municipal officials and Solid Waste Management Department representatives present.

Waste management has received additional attention during this year’s festival, with JICA donating waste collection bins worth nearly Rs. 1.3 million for use during the Perahera. The bins are designed to support the segregation of waste at source, according to the Kandy Municipal Council.

For Watawala Tea, the clean up initiative adds a practical community element to its presence at the Perahera serving spectators during the celebrations while also helping municipal workers deal with what remains once the crowds have gone home.

Alternative headline: Beyond a Cup of Tea: Watawala Staff Help Keep Kandy Clean During Esala Perahera

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The Sri Lanka Police has unveiled a security and traffic plan for the historic Kandy Esala Perahera 2026, which will parade the streets under state patronage from August 18 to 28.

The festival will begin with the Kumbal Perahera from August 18–22, followed by the Randoli Perahera from August 23–27, concluding with the Day Perahera on August 28.

Police said a special operation will be in place throughout the period, including roadblocks, security checks, vehicle inspections, guidance to pilgrims, and designated parking facilities.

A total of 6,200 police officers, 564 Special Task Force personnel, 1,200 tri‑forces officers, and 29 Civil Security officers will be deployed, supported by police dog units. 

Roadblocks will cover 14 entry points into Kandy, while 13 parking areas (six for light vehicles and seven for heavy vehicles) have been allocated for public convenience.

Drivers have been advised to use alternative routes during the Perahera period, including:

• From Katugastota to Peradeniya via Gohagoda Road for vehicles heading to Colombo and Nuwara Eliya.
• From Colombo via Kandy towards Kurunegala, Matale, and Mahiyanganaya via Peradeniya and Madawala.
• From Kandy towards Mahiyanganaya and Badulla via Dharmashoka Mawatha and Thannekumbura.

Vehicle Parking Locations (13) for light vehicle: 

• KMC Car Park 
• Karaliya Car Park 
• Ahelepola Kumarihami Mawatha Car Park 
• Sahas Uyana Car Park 
• Near Railway Station Car Park 
• One side of Gannoruwa Road Car Park 

Heavy Vehicle Parks : 

• Torrington Bus Stand
• Bogambara Bus Stand 
• Aluthgama Dhammananda Mawatha Car Park 
• Clock Tower Bus Stand 
• From Railway Station Junction to Children’s Park Road Car Park 
• Inside Bogambara Prison Car Park 
• Rajapihilla Bus Park near YMBA 

Police urged visitors to respect national culture, maintain environmental cleanliness, and cooperate with officers on duty round the clock to ensure public safety. (Newswire)

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