President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed authorities to restrict environmentally harmful diesel vehicles within the Anuradhapura Sacred City and introduce an organised electric-bus transport service as part of measures to reduce traffic congestion and protect the sacred area’s environment.

The President issued the directive during a meeting held at the Anuradhapura District Secretariat to review the Anuradhapura Sacred City Development Plan.

Under the proposed transport system, electric buses will operate on a circular route within the Sacred City as a regular daily service under the Anuradhapura Municipal Council. The initiative is aimed at providing a convenient and environmentally friendly transport system for pilgrims visiting the Atamasthana, the eight sacred sites.

President Dissanayake emphasised the need to develop Anuradhapura as an environmentally sensitive zone while reducing congestion caused by vehicles. He also called for measures to encourage devotees to travel on foot within the Sacred City, according to the President’s Media Division.

The development plan is expected to include separate lanes for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as shaded and cool rest areas for pilgrims arriving by train and bus.

The President stressed that archaeological sites in the Sacred City should be regarded not simply as “ruins”, but as “living historical sites” that continue to be venerated by the public. He said the development of facilities for devotees must therefore take into account the religious and archaeological importance of the area.

Meanwhile, the President ordered the accelerated revision of the Sacred City Development Plan, with new proposals to be incorporated. He instructed the Director General of the National Physical Planning Department to present the revised plan to the Anuradhapura Sacred City Development Committee on September 8, while the complete detailed plan is to be finalised by September 15, the PMD stated.

The government plans to commence work on the project within this year.

The Anuradhapura Sacred City Development Project is being upgraded with the assistance of the Government of India, with an investment of up to Rs. 6.5 billion. The existing Sacred City boundary, which covers approximately 28 square kilometres, is also expected to be expanded to 38 square kilometres.

The President further instructed officials to clearly distinguish between project components to be implemented by UNESCO and those to be carried out with Indian assistance, enabling all stakeholders, including the Maha Sangha, to clearly understand the overall development programme.

He also stressed the need to prioritise projects and establish a systematic programme to prevent development activities from being unnecessarily delayed by archaeological excavation work. Relevant institutions are to be consulted and preliminary approval obtained for individual projects before implementation.

The meeting also discussed the resettlement of 331 families living in the Inner City area of Lolugaswewa. President Dissanayake instructed Divisional Secretary and Chief of Presidential Staff Prabath Chandrakeerthi to engage directly with the affected residents and consider alternatives including land, housing or financial compensation.

Members of the Maha Sangha representing the Atamasthana, Ministers Wasantha Samarasinghe and Susil Ranasinghe, Anuradhapura District Secretary Ranjith Wimalasuriya, and senior officials from the National Physical Planning Department, Urban Development Authority, Central Cultural Fund, Department of Archaeology and other relevant institutions attended the meeting.