Police today arrested members of several Kavadi dance groups participating in the annual procession of the Devinuwara Uthpalawanna Sri Vishnu Maha Devalaya, after they were found in possession of narcotics during a special morning operation.

According to Ada Derana, authorities said that around 1,500 security personnel have been deployed to safeguard the procession, with all Kavadi groups scheduled to undergo instant checks.

The arrests come against the backdrop of heightened tensions surrounding the inclusion of Kavadi dancers. A dispute between two underworld gang leaders had recently escalated to a shooting incident near the temple, prompting the Inspector General of Police to recommend last Sunday that Kavadi groups be temporarily suspended from the procession.

However, following a decisive discussion yesterday (27) at the Matara District Secretariat with the participation of the Minister of Public Security, the Ministry Secretary, the IGP, and other officials, it was resolved to allow all groups that had performed Kavadi dances in previous years to take part.

The annual procession is scheduled to commence today (28) at 2.00 pm, with security forces maintaining strict oversight amid the arrests and recent unrest. (Newswire)

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Southern Province Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) Kithsiri Jayalath announced today that a final decision on whether to suspend the Kavadi dance at the historic Devinuwara Perahera will be taken this evening, following a high‑level meeting with the subject minister, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), and other officials.

Speaking to the media, SDIG Jayalath stressed that while the Police are entrusted with ensuring security, they cannot intervene in decisions regarding the conduct of the Perahera itself. 

“We cannot stop the entire Perahera, but based on intelligence reports we recommended suspending only the Kavadi dance. The temple Nilame has now stated he wishes to allow all groups to participate, so the matter will be reviewed again with all stakeholders before a final decision is made,” he said.

The move comes after years of controversy surrounding the Kavadi segment, which has been part of the Perahera for nearly four decades. 

SDIG Jayalath said in recent years, dancers were accused of wearing inappropriate attire, with video footage showing instances of private parts being exposed, and of consuming large amounts of alcohol before performing. 

In response, the temple Nilame appointed an association to oversee Kavadi groups, removing those that violated regulations. 

This disciplinary action triggered disputes among underworld gangs linked to certain groups, with clashes and threats circulating widely on social media, he said. 

Against this backdrop, intelligence assessments by the Chief of National Intelligence, the State Intelligence Service, and the Police Special Branch warned of possible confrontations between rival groups during the upcoming procession. 

Acting on these reports, IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya formally recommended that the Kavadi dance scheduled for July 28 be suspended as a precaution. 

The recommendation was conveyed to the Basnayake Nilame of the Devinuwara Sri Uthpalawanna Vishnu Devalaya by Matara District Secretary Chandana Tilakaratne on Sunday.

The annual Devinuwara Perahera, now in its 769th year, continues under heightened security measures. 

Police have assured that the safety of the temple, devotees, and participants remains their top priority, even as the final decision on the Kavadi segment awaits consensus among religious and state authorities. (Newswire)

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