Special traffic plan for Independence Day rehearsals

A special traffic plan will be implemented in Colombo from today in preparation for the 78th National Independence Day celebrations. 

According to the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Traffic, the traffic plan will be in effect during the rehearsal period leading up to the main national ceremony scheduled for February 4. Rehearsals will take place from January 30 to February 3 at Independence Square. 

Police said that traffic restrictions will be enforced in the vicinity of Independence Square during specific periods. From January 30 to February 2, restrictions will be in place during morning hours and will continue until the conclusion of rehearsals. On February 3, traffic restrictions will be imposed in the afternoon for the final full-scale rehearsal. On Independence Day, February 4, roads will be closed or restricted from 5.00 a.m. until the conclusion of the national ceremony. 

Several main roads in the area will be closed or have restricted access to facilitate the smooth movement of parade contingents and VIP convoys. Entry to Independence Avenue will be restricted from the Independence Roundabout, while Stanley Wijesundara Mawatha will be closed from the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute end. Bauddhaloka Mawatha will be restricted from Torrington Junction to Premakirthi de Alwis Mawatha. Access to Maitland Crescent and Maitland Place will be restricted from Independence Roundabout and R.G. Senanayake Mawatha, respectively, while Wijerama Mawatha will be closed from the Vidya Junction. Roads surrounding the Viharamahadevi Park area, including Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha (Green Path), will also be closed as they will be used as assembly points for parade troops. 

Police further said that a special colour-coded vehicle pass system has been introduced for invitees attending the main ceremony. Designated parking areas have been allocated according to these passes, with BMICH Gates 2, 3 and 4 assigned for specific pass holders, the CR&FC grounds reserved for VIP vehicles, and Maitland Crescent designated for vehicles transporting differently-abled persons. Additional parking facilities have been arranged at St. Peter’s College grounds and along Sarana Road. The Police assured that residents and employees of institutions located within restricted areas will be granted access following verification. However, the general public has been advised to use alternative routes to minimise congestion. Vehicles travelling from the Nanda Motors area may turn right at the Independence Roundabout and proceed via Philip Gunawardena Mawatha and Stanley Wijesundara Mawatha to reach Bauddhaloka Mawatha. Meanwhile, motorists approaching from Bauddhaloka Mawatha or Thunmulla are advised to use Wijerama Mawatha to access Horton Place. 

The Traffic DIG said that the traffic plan has been designed to minimise public inconvenience and added that, as January 31, February 1 and February 4 are public holidays, the impact on regular school and office traffic is expected to be limited.