A man has been arrested for allegedly abusing police officers and obstructing them while they were on duty at the Kandy Esala Perahera, police said.
The incident took place on Sunday morning near the main entrance to the Sri Dalada Maligawa, where officers had been deployed on security duty for the pageant, according to police.
Police said the suspect directed abusive language at several officers and behaved in a disorderly manner, preventing them from carrying out their official duties. He was arrested at the scene, and police said legal action is expected to follow.
Neither Ada Derana nor Hiru News named the suspect, gave his age or home town, or said which court he is due to be produced before. Police did not say whether anyone was injured or whether the disturbance interrupted preparations for the procession.
The arrest came hours before the first Randoli Perahera took to the streets of Kandy on Sunday evening, opening the second and more elaborate phase of the annual pageant after five nights of Kumbal processions. The Randoli Perahera runs for five consecutive nights, concluding on August 27, and the festival ends with the daytime procession and the traditional water-cutting ceremony on August 28.
The Esala Perahera draws large crowds to Kandy each year and is policed under a dedicated security and traffic plan. Police announced a separate traffic scheme for the second Randoli Perahera on Monday, which is due to leave the Sri Dalada Maligawa at 7.00 p.m.
