Over 3,500 police officers on duty for May Day rallies in Colombo

Special security and traffic arrangements have been made for political rallies to be held on May Day, Police said.

Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said special May Day rallies and parades are scheduled to be held in the Colombo, Nugegoda, Kandy, Hatton and Nuwara Eliya areas on 01 May.

He said more than 3,500 police officers have been deployed for the security and traffic operations in the Colombo area.

"Police and organizers of political parties and trade unions discussed their plans to hold May Day rallies.

"Accordingly, we request the organizers to use one lane of a road in a way that does not disturb the vehicles traveling on the other lanes. Traffic police officers will be deployed on duty," he said.

The spokesman said Colombo May Day rallies are scheduled to be held at the Sugathadasa Stadium, Campbell Park in Borella, BRC Grounds, P.D. Sirisena Grounds and Ananda Samarakoon Open Air Theatre at Nugegoda.

SSP Thalduwa said steps have been taken to provide parking for the vehicles participating in the May Day rallies in respective areas and urged the organizers to use those locations.

He said police also have been ordered to take legal action against drivers who park their vehicles on payments and roads causing inconvenience to the public.

In addition  the IGP has instructed senior police officers in the respective areas to arrange security and traffic operations if any May Day rallies are held in those areas.(Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)