Special traffic plan announced for Gangaramaya Navam Perahera

Colombo, Jan. 29 (Daily Mirror) - Police have announced a special traffic plan in Colombo in view of the annual Navam Maha Perahera of the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple.

According to the police, traffic restrictions and road diversions will be in effect on January 31 and February 1, 2026, from 6.30 p.m. until the conclusion of the procession on both days. Motorists are advised to plan their journeys in advance and cooperate with traffic officers deployed along the route.

The Navam Perahera will commence from Jinarathana Mawatha, in front of the Gangaramaya Temple, and proceed via Hunupitiya Lake Road, W.A.D. Ramanayake Mawatha, Sir James Peiris Mawatha, Alwis Avenue, Staple Street, Braybrooke Place, before returning to the temple via Jinarathana Mawatha.

Police said that several roads will be temporarily restricted during the procession line-up, including W.A.D. Ramanayake Mawatha at the Hunupitiya Lake Road junction, Dharmapala Mawatha at Park Street, and Union Place at the Hyde Park Corner junction.

During the movement of the Perahera, access to the procession route will be restricted from multiple entry points. Entry to Sir James Peiris Mawatha will be limited from the Piththala Junction, Boyd Place, Alwis Place junction, and the Slave Island (Kompannavidiya) junction. Access to Jinarathana Mawatha will be restricted from Braybrooke Roundabout and Lake Crescent, while Staple Street will be closed from Muttiah Road, Union Place, and Dawson Street. Braybrooke Place will be restricted from Dawson Street, and Park Street will be closed from Hyde Park Corner towards Braybrooke Roundabout.

Police have advised motorists to use alternative routes during the closures. Vehicles travelling from Slave Island are requested to proceed towards Union Place via the Lipton Circus roundabout. Meanwhile, vehicles on Sir James Peiris Mawatha coming from the Navam Mawatha junction should turn right onto Navam Mawatha and then turn left at Uttarannanda Mawatha to continue their journey.