The police have issued an important announcement regarding a special traffic plan to be enforced in the Galle Face area today (31) to accommodate the New Year 2025 celebrations.
According to the statement, a significant influx of people and vehicles from various regions is anticipated in the Galle Face area for the celebrations. To manage the expected congestion, a comprehensive traffic plan has been introduced in Colombo city, specifically affecting the Pettah, Kompaniya, Maradana, Kollupitiya, Bambalapitiya, and Kurunduwatta police divisions.
Parking Restrictions and Facilities
As part of the traffic plan, parking on Galle Middle Road will be prohibited. Drivers are advised to utilize the designated free and private parking facilities in the respective police divisions.
Private Parking Facilities (Fee Applies):
- Pettah: Bastion Road, Old Manning Mall Car Park
- Fort: Wimaladharmasuriya Clock Tower, Charman’s Car Park
- Rasik Fareed Road: Hemas Car Park
- D.R. Wijewardena Road: Lake House Car Park
- Company Street: Union Place, Dawson Street Junction, Access Tower Car Park
- Maradana: Gamini Roundabout, St. Clement Car Park
Free Parking Locations:
- Bala Daksha Mawatha (MOD Car Park), Kottuwa Police Division
- Coastal Road, Kollupitiya Police Division
- D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha
- Parsons Road exit lane, Company Street Police Division
- Lading Bastion Mawatha, Fort Police Division
- Bristol Street and Duke Street, Fort Police Division
- Designated parking bays along Galle Road from Wellawatte Savoy to Bagathale Road Junction
- Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha, Kurunduwatte Police Division (from Nelum Pokuna Roundabout to Library Roundabout, left side)
- F.R. Senanayake Mawatha, Kurunduwatte Police Division
- Cinnamon Gardens Police Division:
- Reed Mawatha (right side) from Reed Mawatha Junction to Thurstan Junction
- Nidahas Mawatha (from Nidahas Roundabout to Independence Square)
- Maitland Place
Traffic Diversions in Galle Face Area
To mitigate congestion, specific traffic diversions will be in effect from 4:00 PM onwards.
- For Heavy Vehicles and Buses Leaving Colombo:
Directed from Ceramic Junction to Regal Junction via D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha and Chithappalam A. Garden Mawatha towards Company Road Junction. - For Light Vehicles Leaving Colombo:
Rerouted from Ceramic Junction to Lotus Road, N.S.A. Roundabout, Galle Middle Road, M.O.A.D. Junction, and Bala Daksha Mawatha, exiting via Aliya Nana Roundabout, Uttarananda Mawatha, St. Michael’s Roundabout, and Liberty Roundabout. - For Heavy Vehicles and Buses Entering Colombo via Galle Face Stadium:
Routed from Kollupitiya Junction via Dharmapala Mawatha, Lipton Roundabout, Ibbanwala Junction, Darley Road, Maradana Bridge Junction, and Technical College Junction. - For Light Vehicles Entering Colombo:
Rerouted via Kollupitiya Junction, Galle Face Roundabout, Galle Middle Road, N.S.A. Roundabout, Janathasiri Mawatha, and Bank of Ceylon Mawatha.
Authorities request the public to cooperate with the implemented traffic arrangements to ensure a smooth and safe New Year celebration in Colombo.
