Sri Lanka Police has issued a special traffic management plan for Colombo as large crowds are expected to descend on the capital for the 2026 Vesak festival, with multiple zones, thorana displays and lantern exhibitions on the bill from Friday through early June, NewsFirst reported.
The plan, released by the Police Media Division, concentrates measures in nine police divisions where major Vesak attractions have been organised: Colombo Fort, Pettah, Kompannaveediya, Maradana, Kollupitiya, Bambalapitiya, Cinnamon Gardens, Dematagoda and Modara. Authorities expect heavy footfall in all nine zones, especially at the Vesak Poya on May 30.
To keep traffic moving, police will introduce temporary diversions, limited one-way systems and restricted access points around the major display zones. Specific routes have been designated for inbound and outbound traffic, with some roads running one-way only during peak hours. Special parking zones have been mapped across Colombo Central, South, North and the city limits to absorb the inflow.
Normal traffic flow will be maintained where possible, the Police Media Division said, with the special measures activated according to congestion levels and crowd movement. Motorists have been “strongly advised” to use alternative routes wherever they can and to follow directions issued by traffic officers on duty.
The plan builds on the islandwide Vesak security and traffic framework issued a week earlier and runs alongside Railways’ special Vesak train services to Anuradhapura and Matara. The Met Department on Friday separately issued an Amber-level marine advisory for coastal waters through Saturday afternoon, adding to the seasonal travel warnings.
