PUBLIC PROHIBITED TO GATHER IN STREETS

IN VIEW OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Police who stressed the need to strictly adhere to precautions laid down by the health authorities, said they would barricade the area along the routes of the Perahera

The relevant authorities who met on Saturday evening (18) to finalise special arrangements for the Kandy Esala Perahera this year that is to be paraded on July 25, decided not to allow the public to line up in the streets in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The meeting at the Grand Hotel in Kandy was held under the chairmanship of Kandy Government Agent Tissa Karunaratne.

Diyawadana Nilame- Nilanga Dela who announced the route taken by the Perahera said all precautions would be taken to uphold the health guidelines. He said the requirement of social distance would apply to the dancers, drummers and all others participating in the procession. He said adequate facilities would be provided to them to follow the health guidelines. The Nilame pointed out that the people who were anxious to watch this grand cultural pageant could do so watching it on TV or on Websites this year.

A request of the Kandy Kataragama Devala Basnayake Nilame Gemunu Walisundara to allow the public to watch only the first days Kumbal Perahera stating that the people were anxious to watch that grand cultural pageant would be a blessing to them.

However the Police who stressed the need to strictly adhere to the precautions laid down by the health authorities, said they would barricade the area along the routes of the Perahera to prevent the entry of the public.

The Municipal Commissioner of Kandy, senior police and the security forces officers, and the health sector officials were present at the meeting.