Sri Lanka Police have set out a special security and traffic plan for the fourth Kumbal Perahera of the 2026 Kandy Esala Perahera, which takes to the streets on Friday evening.
The procession leaves the Sri Dalada Maligawa at the auspicious time of 6.40 p.m. and proceeds along Dalada Veediya, Katugodalla Veediya and Raja Veediya before returning to the temple, covering 1 kilometre and 270 metres.
Police said the arrangements cover roadblocks, security duties, vehicle and pedestrian checks, tourist assistance and parking.
Alternative routes
- Heavy vehicles from Katugastota towards Kandy: via Mahaiyawa Junction and Thilak Ratnayake Mawatha to Police Junction, then into the city.
- Light vehicles from Katugastota: via D.S. Senanayake Street, across to Yatinuwara Street, right near the Meera Maccam Mosque and along Thilak Ratnayake Mawatha.
- Vehicles leaving Kandy for Katugastota: towards Mahaiyawa via Thilak Ratnayake Mawatha.
- Vehicles from Tennekumbura and Ampitiya: enter Kandy at the Rajapihilla Mawatha junction via Church Road.
- From Ehelepola Kumarihami Mawatha, turn right; from Bogambara Railway Station, turn left; from Colombo Road, turn right.
- Kandy towards Ampitiya and Teldeniya: from the Clock Tower roundabout via Dalada Street, past the side entrance of the Queen’s Hotel, then along Sangaraja Mawatha.
- An alternative to Ampitiya and Tennekumbura runs via Ehelepola Kumarihami Mawatha, Rajapihilla Mawatha, Wales Park Junction and Sangaraja Mawatha.
- William Gopallawa Mawatha and Old Peradeniya Road serve traffic entering from and leaving towards Colombo.
Police urged the public to follow traffic regulations and use the designated alternative routes.
The pageant began with the first Kumbal Perahera on August 18 and runs until August 28. Police announced a festival-wide security plan on August 14 involving close to 8,000 personnel, with roadblocks at 14 entry points and 13 designated parking areas.
