President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed authorities to restrict diesel vehicles within the Anuradhapura Sacred City and introduce an organised electric-bus service to ease traffic congestion and protect the environment of the sacred area.

The directive was issued during a meeting at the Anuradhapura District Secretariat to review the Anuradhapura Sacred City Development Plan.

Under the proposed transport system, electric buses will operate daily on a circular route within the Sacred City under the Anuradhapura Municipal Council. The service is intended to provide convenient and environmentally friendly transport for pilgrims visiting the Atamasthana, or eight sacred sites.

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), Dissanayake stressed the need to develop Anuradhapura as an environmentally sensitive zone while reducing vehicle congestion. He also called for measures to encourage devotees to walk within the Sacred City.

The development plan is expected to include dedicated lanes for pedestrians and cyclists, along with shaded and cool rest areas for pilgrims arriving by train and bus.

The President said archaeological sites in the Sacred City should not be treated merely as “ruins”, but as “living historical sites” that continue to be venerated by the public. Accordingly, the development of facilities for devotees should take into consideration both the religious and archaeological significance of the area.

Dissanayake also ordered the accelerated revision of the Sacred City Development Plan, with new proposals incorporated. The Director General of the National Physical Planning Department has been instructed to present the revised plan to the Anuradhapura Sacred City Development Committee on 8 September, while the complete detailed plan is to be finalised by 15 September.

The Government plans to commence work on the project before the end of this year.

The Anuradhapura Sacred City Development Project is being upgraded with assistance from the Government of India, with an investment of up to Rs. 6.5 billion. The existing Sacred City boundary, covering approximately 28 square kilometres, is also expected to be expanded to 38 square kilometres.