The final and grand Randoli Perahera of the 2026 Kandy Esala Perahera Festival will take to the streets of Kandy tonight (27), with police implementing a special security operation and traffic plan for the procession.
The procession is scheduled to commence at 6.43 p.m. and will travel approximately 2.15 kilometres along Dalada Veediya, Yatinuwara Veediya, Kande Veediya, D.S. Senanayake Veediya and Raja Veediya before returning to the Sri Dalada Maligawa.
This year's Kandy Esala Perahera began on August 13 with the traditional Kap planting ceremony, marking the commencement of the annual religious observances associated with the festival.
The Kap planting ceremony was followed by five days of internal processions at the four main devales — Natha, Vishnu, Pattini and Kataragama — from August 13 to 17.
The Perahera then paraded m the streets of Kandy with the first Kumbal Perahera on August 18. The Kumbal Perahera continued until August 22, after which the Randoli Perahera commenced on August 23.
The five-day Randoli Perahera will conclude tonight with the final and most elaborate procession of the festival.
The Kandy Esala Perahera is centred on the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha and is one of Sri Lanka's most important religious and cultural festivals. The annual event attracts thousands of devotees, local spectators and foreign visitors to Kandy.
Following tonight's final Randoli Perahera, the festival will conclude tomorrow (28) with the traditional Diya Kepeema, or water-cutting ceremony, and the daytime procession.
Meanwhile, police have announced special traffic arrangements throughout Kandy city for tonight's procession.
Heavy vehicles travelling from Katugastota towards Kandy will be directed via Mahaiyawa Junction, Tilak Ratnayake Mawatha and Police Junction before entering the city.
Light vehicles arriving from Katugastota can travel along D.S. Senanayake Veediya, proceed through Cross Street to Yatinuwara Veediya, turn right and then turn left near the Meera Maccam Mosque before continuing along Tilak Ratnayake Mawatha.
Vehicles travelling towards Katugastota can proceed from Police Junction along Tilak Ratnayake Mawatha towards Mahaiyawa.
Vehicles arriving from Tennekumbura and Ampitiya can travel via Sangaraja Mawatha to Wales Park Junction and turn right onto Ehelepola Kumarihami Mawatha. Vehicles travelling towards Colombo can use the left lane, while those heading towards Kandy city can use the right lane.
Vehicles can also enter Kandy city via Church Road from the Rajapihilla Mawatha Junction. Church Road has been divided to facilitate traffic in both directions.
Vehicles travelling from the city towards Ampitiya and Teldeniya can proceed from the Clock Tower Roundabout via Dalada Veediya, passing the side entrance of Queen's Hotel and the Joy Boat service area before continuing along Sangaraja Mawatha.
Vehicles can also travel towards Ampitiya and Tennekumbura via Ehelepola Kumarihami Mawatha from the Bogambara Roundabout, Rajapihilla Mawatha and Wales Park Junction before joining Sangaraja Mawatha.
William Gopallawa Mawatha and Old Peradeniya Road will also be available for two-way traffic for vehicles entering Kandy from Colombo and leaving the city towards Colombo.
Police have urged motorists and the public to follow the instructions of officers deployed in the area and use the designated alternative routes during the procession, as significant crowds are expected in Kandy for the final Randoli Perahera.
