Four miles on Nallathanniya-Maskeliya road crammed with vehicles

By Gamini Bandara Ilangatilleka

A heavy influx of pilgrims and foreign tourists was experienced in Sri Pada sacred area during the long weekend from last Saturday (11). The week end holidays including the Duruthu fool moon Poya day tomorrow.

Traders in Nallathanniya town said the pilgrim and tourist arrival during this weekend was the highest after the pilgrim season commenced last month.

Police said heavy congestion prevailed yesterday in Nallathanniya and Ratnapura routes up to Indikatupana.

The vehicle parks were full to their capacity and the motorcars, vans and busses transporting pilgrims and tourists had been parked along Nallathniya – Maskeliya road upto Laxapana, a distance of about four miles.

The SLTB- Railway coordinated special bus service was in operation from Hatton to Nallathanniya. Howeveer intermittent rain was experienced in the Sri Pada sacred area from morning yesterday.