Massive Traffic Plan for Sacred Relics Exposition
Sri Lanka is preparing for an extraordinary spiritual gathering as sacred relics brought from India are set to be placed for public exposition at the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, drawing tens of thousands of devotees from across the island and overseas.According to the Police Media Division, the relics will arrive on 4 February 2026, and will be open for continuous public veneration from 6:00 a.m. on 5 February until 7:00 a.m. on 11 February, a rare 24‐hour exposition lasting six days.Given the anticipated crowds and the high level of religious significance, Sri Lanka Police will activate an extensive special security operation and traffic management plan covering the Gangaramaya precinct and surrounding Colombo streets for the entire duration.Police are urging devotees to cooperate fully with the strengthened security protocols in place throughout the exhibition period.With large numbers of local and foreign visitors expected, authorities warn the public to stay alert against pickpockets and safeguard valuables including jewelry, wallets, and bags.Inside the Sacred Chamber, mobile phone use is strictly prohibited. Devotees are also instructed not to bring helmets, jackets, or large bags, and to observe proper Buddhist traditions upon entering the temple premises. Parking is permitted only in designated areas.To ease the inflow of devotees, a dedicated shuttle bus service will shuttle between major parking areas and the Gangaramaya Temple. Shuttle points include: Old MOD Grounds Parking (MOD Park), Port City Parking Area, Parking area near Shangri‐La Hotel.Several key Colombo roads will be temporarily closed during the exposition to accommodate both crowds and security zones.In addition, multiple surrounding streets, including Navam Mawatha, Perahera Mawatha, Union Place, Hyde Park Corner, Braybrooke Place, Lake Crescent, and Dharmapala Mawatha, will be designated as restricted parking zones.To manage the massive influx of vehicles, the police have allocated several free parking areas.To prevent congestion and ensure the protection of pedestrian routes, heavy vehicles will be restricted from entering several roads feeding into Navam Mawatha, Perahera Mawatha, James Peiris Mawatha, Union Place, Hyde Park Corner, Park Street, and Dharmapala Mawatha.
