• Exposition today from 3.30-5.30 p.m., from tmrw. – 27 April from noon-5.30 p.m.
• 2 m visitors expected; 10,000 cops deployed; checkpoints/roadblocks in and around Kandy City; spl. parking areas for pilgrims with shuttle services for a nominal fee  
• Wear white, avoid carrying large bags/cameras/video equipment/electronic devices into Temple

The Department of Police announced that an extensive security and traffic management plan will be implemented ahead of the exposition of the Tooth Relic, which is set to begin today (18) at the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth Relic) in Kandy.

The special exposition will commence today at 3.30 p.m. and continue until 5.30 p.m. From tomorrow (19) to 27 April, the relic will be on public display daily from 12 noon to 5.30 p.m.

Police state that more than two million local and international devotees are expected to visit the site during the 10-day exposition. Hence, the Police Headquarters has outlined a comprehensive security strategy to ensure the safety of the visiting public, the Tooth Relic, and the premises surrounding the Dalada Maligawa.

Over 10,000 Police officers, including 35 government-notified officers, will be deployed across the City for crowd control, public safety, and traffic regulation. Security measures will include public searches, checkpoints, and roadblocks in and around Kandy City.

To mitigate heavy traffic congestion, vehicular access to Kandy City was restricted from yesterday (17). 

Special parking areas have been designated for pilgrims arriving in Kandy, and shuttle services will be available providing transportation to the Temple premises for a nominal fee.

Special parking areas have been allocated for vehicles arriving from various parts of the country: For vehicles from Gampola and Colombo – parking at the Gannoruwa Stadium and the Gatambe Road; for vehicles from the Kurunegala-Katugastota Road – Parking near the Fourth Mile Post; for vehicles from the Madawala Road – Parking at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre premises in Polgolla; for vehicles from the Matale Road – Parking along the Dharmashoka Mawatha from the Rakade Junction; light vehicles at the P.T. Rajan Playground; for vehicles from Mahiyangana (18 Hairpin Bends) – Parking at the Bandaranaike College Stadium, Pallekele; and for vehicles from Badulla – Parking in the Gurudeniya area. Long-distance buses and City-origin commuter buses will operate as usual, with parking limited to the Rajapihilla Bus Terminal near the Young Men’s Buddhist Association (YMBA) and the Bogambara Stadium. Short-distance buses will not be permitted to park within the City limits. To facilitate a smooth traffic flow for vehicles not attending the exposition, the following alternative routes have been designated: Vehicles from Kurunegala or Matale headed towards Colombo/Nuwara Eliya can use the Gohagoda Road near the Katugastota Bridge, proceeding through Peradeniya; vehicles from the Colombo-Kandy Road and Nuwara Eliya heading to Kurunegala, Matale, or Mahiyanganaya may take the Peradeniya-Gohagoda Road; and vehicles heading to Badulla can use the Dharmashoka Mawatha via Thannekumbura. While residents entering the City for daily needs will not be allowed to park in the City limits, the following parking areas are however available: For light vehicles – the Wewelpitiya Stadium, the Sahas Uyana Stadium, the Mahanama Stadium (Gatambe), the KMC Stadium, and the Karaliya Parking lot; and for buses – the Mahaiyawa Cemetery, the Rajapihilla Bus Station (YMBA), the Bogambara Stadium, inside the Bogambara Prison premises, the Haragama Road (the Thannekumbura Junction), the S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike Mawatha, and the Dharmashoka Mawatha (the Japan Kade Junction).

Police have established roadblocks at the following key locations: The William Gopallawa Mawatha at the Niressagala Junction, the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Mawatha near the Gatambe Stadium Gate, near the Mahaiyawa Wewelpitiya Stadium, the Lewella Bridge, Thannekumbura, the Katugastota Bridge, Kadugannawa, the Dodanwela Bridge, the Hanthana Road – near the National Institute of Fundamental Studies, the Polgolla Dam, Botalapitiya, Balakaduwa, and the Digana Junction.

The Police request devotees visiting the Temple to: Wear white attire, in keeping with traditional customs; and refrain from carrying large bags, cameras, video equipment, and other electronic devices into the Temple premises.