Special Traffic Plan for Independence Celebration

Due to rehearsals for the 77th Independence Day celebrations, a special traffic plan will be implemented around Independence Square, Colombo, starting today (29th).

Police stated that this traffic plan will be active from today (29th) until the 2nd of next month, and on the 4th of next month (the day of the Independence Day celebration) from 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Accordingly, police have announced that the rehearsals for the Independence Day celebrations will be conducted in a manner that does not obstruct school children on the aforementioned dates, with the traffic plan to be implemented from 8:00 AM onwards as follows.

Road Closures / Traffic Restrictions

• A. Entry from Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Torrington Junction towards Premakeerthi de Alwis Mawatha.
• B. Entry from RFP Junction towards Public Administration.
• C. Entry from Wijerama Vidya Mawatha Junction towards Vidya Mawatha.
• D. Entry from R.G. Senanayake Mawatha, Maitland Crescent Junction towards Independence Roundabout.
• E. Entry from Independence Mawatha, Independence Roundabout towards Maitland Crescent.
• F. Entry from Stanley Wijesundara Mawatha, Padanama Mawatha Junction towards Independence Mawatha.
• G. Entry from Independence Roundabout towards Independence Square.
• H. Entry from Library Roundabout to Horton Roundabout (Restricted).
• I. Entry from Independence Foundation Junction to Independence Mawatha.

Vehicles can enter Colombo by avoiding areas with restricted traffic or road closures as follows:

1. Vehicles coming from Nanda Motors can turn right at Independence Roundabout and enter Bauddhaloka Mawatha via Philip Gunawardena Mawatha and Stanley Wijesundara Mawatha.
2. Vehicles coming from Bauddhaloka Mawatha towards Horton Roundabout can travel along Wijerama Mawatha and then proceed towards Horton Place via Horton Wijerama.
3. Vehicles traveling from Wijerama Mawatha via Vidya Wijerama Junction towards Thummulla can proceed towards Bullers Wijerama via Vidya Wijerama Junction and then towards Kanatte and Thummulla.

Parking Locations,

• Parking near Rupavahini Corporation (250 light vehicles)
• BMICH Gate No. 02 Parking (350 light vehicles) › CR & FC Parking (250 light vehicles)
• BMICH Gate No. 04 Parking (550 light vehicles)
• BMICH Gate No. 03 Parking (150 light vehicles)
• Independence Mawatha Arcade Parking (30 light vehicles)
• Premakeerthi de Alwis Mawatha Parking (30 light vehicles)
• ITI Parking (75 light vehicles)
• Nelum Pokuna Theatre Parking (75 buses)
• Sarana Road around BMICH premises (230 light vehicles / 75 buses)

During the periods when the above roads are closed or traffic is restricted, residents of those areas can travel under the guidance of traffic officers.

Upon completion of the rehearsal duties and Independence Day celebrations, the aforementioned roads will be opened for traffic.

The approximate traffic plan is below,