COLOMBO ;; Sri Lanka Police said a special traffic plan will be implemented in view of the 78th National Independence Day celebrations, which are scheduled to take place under the theme ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’, and the preceding rehearsals for the event.
The 78th National Independence Day celebration is scheduled to be held in a grand manner on 04 February 2026 at the Independence Square premises and pre-rehearsal programs will take place on January 30 and 31, and February 01 and 02, according to the Police Media Division.
Accordingly, based on the rehearsal schedules and the main Independence Day celebration, special traffic restrictions and alternative routes will be enforced as follows:
Traffic Restriction Timings
30.01.2026, 31.01.2026, 02.01.2026– From 07:45 hrs to 13:30 hrs
01.02.2026 (Full Rehearsal)– From 05:00e hrs to 13:30 hrs
04.02.2026 (Independence Day)– From 05:00 hrs until the conclusion of the celebrations
Roads Subject to Traffic Restrictions During Rehearsals
Nidahas Mawatha – Entrance to Independence Square from Nidahas Roundabout
Stanley Wijesundara Mawatha – Entrance towards the Foundation Institute
Bauddhaloka Mawatha – Torrington Junction to Premakeerthi de Alwis Mawatha
Bauddhaloka Mawatha – R.F.P. Junction to Maitland Place
Wijerama Mawatha – Vidya Mawatha Junction towards Vidya Mawatha
Maitland Crescent – R.G. Senanayake Mawatha Junction towards Freedom Roundabout
Maitland Crescent – Junction towards Freedom Roundabout
Horton Place – Maitland Crescent Junction towards Freedom Roundabout
Roads Subject to Traffic Restrictions on 04.02.2026 (From 03:00 hrs until the end of the celebrations)
Horton Roundabout to Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha
Library Junction to Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha towards Horton Roundabout
Dharmapala Mawatha to F.R. Senanayake Mawatha
Kannangara Mawatha to F.R. Senanayake Mawatha
Nidahas Mawatha to Freedom Roundabout towards Independence Square
Stanley Wijesundara Mawatha towards the Foundation Institute
Bauddhaloka Mawatha – Torrington Junction to Premakeerthi de Alwis Mawatha
Bauddhaloka Mawatha – R.F.P. Junction to Maitland Place
Wijerama Mawatha – Vidya Mawatha Junction to Vidya Mawatha
Maitland Crescent – R.G. Senanayake Mawatha Junction to Freedom Roundabout
Maitland Crescent – Junction to Freedom Roundabout
Horton Place – Maitland Crescent Junction to Freedom Roundabout
Residents and institutions located along the roads affected by the above traffic restrictions will be permitted to travel without disruption to their essential duties, the statement added.
The public and motorists have been requested to cooperate with the Police and to use alternative routes where possible.
