• Police announce spl. traffic plan for Vesak Zones and areas in vicinity

A total of 8,742 ‘dansals’ have been registered across the island, in line with the Vesak Day celebrations, the Public Health Inspectors’ (PHIs) Union has confirmed.

According to the PHIs Union Chairperson Upul Rohana, the highest number of ‘dansals’ is registered in the Western Province (WP), specifically within the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) area. Rohana requested organisers of dansals to minimise the use of polythene and plastic during the distribution of food.

Meanwhile, all arrangements have been made to hold the largest ‘dansala’ in Sri Lanka, organised once again by Television Derana for Vesak Poya, at Independence Square in Colombo 7. The Professional Chefs’ Association of Sri Lanka and the CMC have partnered with TV Derana for the event. The ‘Rice Dansala’, which will run continuously for 24 hours, was scheduled to begin yesterday (12) at 7 p.m. and continue uninterrupted until 7 p.m. today (13).

Elsewhere, in line with the Vesak festival, large pandals (thoranas) and lanterns have been set up across the country. The traditional pandals exhibited annually in Dematagoda, Thotalanga, Pettah, and the Nawaloka pandal in Peliyagoda are also being set up for display this year as well. In addition to Colombo, several pandals and large lanterns have also been set up in other parts of the country.

Moreover, the Police has announced the implementation of a special traffic plan in Colombo from yesterday in line with the 2025 Vesak Festival. Accordingly, the Bauddhaloka Vesak Zone, organised by the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress, will be held from yesterday till tomorrow (14). The Buddha Rashmi Vesak Zone, organised jointly by the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple and the Prime Minister’s Office, will take place from yesterday to 16 May while another Vesak Zone is scheduled to be held in Braybrooke Place yesterday and today. According to a statement issued by the Police Media Division, the Bauddhaloka Vesak Zone will span from the Baseline Road near the Prison Junction, through the Borella Junction, the D.S. Junction, the Cemetery Roundabout and the Bauddhaloka Mawatha up to the Bambalapitiya Junction. The Buddha Rashmi Vesak Zone will cover areas from the Kompanya Veediya Police Roundabout, the Kumaratunga Munidasa Mawatha, the Kompanya Veediya Junction, the James Pieris Mawatha, the Pittala Junction and Flower Road up to the Premier’s Office. It also includes surrounding areas such as the Jinarathana Mawatha, Navam Mawatha, and the Perahera Mawatha, the Police noted. Due to a large number of visitors expected towards Galle Face Green and the nearby areas, a special traffic plan will be implemented in this region, the Police added. Accordingly, vehicular movement in several areas including Colombo Fort, adjacent to Galle Face Green, the Colombo Port City, and the Kollupitiya Junction will be restricted to one-way traffic from 7 p.m. Residents and vehicles traveling to hospitals or institutions providing essential services along these roads will be allowed access as necessary. However, container trucks and tipper lorries will not be permitted to enter these Vesak zones during the operating period. Police said that once the traffic congestion subsides, all roads will be returned to the usual two-way operation. The Police will implement special security measures throughout the Vesak festival period to ensure the safety and convenience of devotees, the statement from the Police Media Division said.