Sri Lanka Police will activate a special traffic management plan in Colombo for Vesak 2026 from May 29 through early June, anticipating a heavy concentration of visitors at thorana displays, lantern exhibitions and pandals across the capital.
The Police Media Division said major crowds are expected in the Colombo Fort, Pettah, Kompannaveediya, Maradana, Kollupitiya, Bambalapitiya, Cinnamon Gardens, Dematagoda and Modara police divisions, where the largest Vesak zones have been organised.
Officers will impose temporary road diversions, one-way traffic systems and restricted access points around those zones to manage the flow of vehicles and pedestrians. Designated entry and exit routes will be set for vehicles approaching the city, with some streets converted to one-way operation during peak hours.
Designated parking zones have been identified across Colombo Central, South and North, and within the city limits, to absorb visitor vehicles and prevent gridlock around the main viewing areas. Police have advised the public to follow signage and officer directions on site.
Vesak full-moon poya falls on May 31, with the public holiday confirmed by gazette and a national Vesak Week observance under way. Sri Lanka Railways is operating special Vesak trains from Anuradhapura and Matara over the weekend to ease pressure on road travel.
