Sri Lanka Police have put a special security operation and traffic plan in place for the final Randoli Perahera of the Kandy Esala Perahera, which takes to the streets on Thursday evening.
The procession leaves the Sri Dalada Maligawa at the auspicious time of 6.43 p.m., Ada Derana reported. It will parade along Dalada Veediya, Yatinuwara Veediya, Kande Veediya, D.S. Senanayake Veediya and Raja Veediya, covering 2.15 kilometres before returning to the temple.
A five-street route on the last night
The closing procession runs a shorter circuit than the one before it. The fourth Randoli Perahera on Wednesday took in seven streets, adding Cross Street and Kotugodella Veediya to the same core route. Both are considerably wider than the Kumbal phase: the fourth Kumbal Perahera on August 21 covered three streets over 1 kilometre and 270 metres.
Police did not say why the final night’s route is drawn tighter.
Alternative routes
- Heavy vehicles from Katugastota towards Kandy: via Mahaiyawa Junction along Tilak Ratnayake Mawatha, through Police Junction and into the city.
- Light vehicles from Katugastota: along D.S. Senanayake Veediya, via Cross Street to Yatinuwara Veediya, turning right and then left near the Meera Maccam Mosque before continuing on Tilak Ratnayake Mawatha.
- Towards Katugastota: from Police Junction along Tilak Ratnayake Mawatha towards Mahaiyawa.
- From Tennekumbura and Ampitiya: via Sangaraja Mawatha to Wales Park Junction, turning right onto Ehelepola Kumarihami Mawatha — Colombo-bound traffic keeping left, city-bound traffic using the right lane. Vehicles may also enter the city via Church Road from the Rajapihilla Mawatha junction.
- From the city towards Ampitiya and Teldeniya: from the Clock Tower roundabout via Dalada Veediya, past the side entrance of Queen’s Hotel and the Joy Boat service area, then along Sangaraja Mawatha.
- An alternative to Ampitiya and Tennekumbura runs via Ehelepola Kumarihami Mawatha from the Bogambara roundabout, Rajapihilla Mawatha and Wales Park Junction before joining Sangaraja Mawatha.
- Church Road has been divided to allow traffic in both directions.
- William Gopallawa Mawatha and the Old Peradeniya Road remain open two-way for traffic entering and leaving Kandy towards Colombo.
On Wednesday night’s plan it was Mosque Road that police divided for two-way traffic; the final night’s arrangements name Church Road instead.
What is left of the festival
The pageant began with the first Kumbal Perahera on August 18. After Thursday’s procession, the festival closes with the traditional water-cutting ceremony on Friday, 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. Liquor shops across the Kandy Kadawatha Satara and Gangawata Korala divisions are closed for the duration.
