August 27, Colombo (LNW): The grand finale of the 2026 Kandy Esala Perahera will be held tonight, August 27, as the final Randoli Perahera winds its way through the streets of the hill capital amid extensive security and traffic measures.
The procession is due to begin at 6.43 p.m. and will cover roughly 2.15 kilometres, following a traditional route through Dalada Veediya, Yatinuwara Veediya, Kande Veediya, D.S. Senanayake Veediya and Raja Veediya before returning to the Sri Dalada Maligawa.
This year’s festival began on August 13 with the customary Kap planting ceremony, which formally marked the start of the religious programme. Five days of processions were subsequently held within the precincts of the Natha, Vishnu, Pattini and Kataragama devales.
The Perahera later moved on to the streets of Kandy, beginning with the first Kumbal Perahera on August 18. The Kumbal processions continued through August 22, paving the way for the five-night Randoli Perahera, which began on August 23.
Tonight’s procession is expected to be the most spectacular of the festival, bringing together traditional dancers, drummers, decorated elephants and other ceremonial elements associated with the historic celebration.
Centred on the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha, the Kandy Esala Perahera remains one of Sri Lanka’s most significant Buddhist and cultural events. Large crowds of devotees, residents and overseas visitors are expected to gather along the route.
The conclusion of the street processions will be followed tomorrow by the traditional Diya Kepeema, or water-cutting ceremony, together with the customary daytime procession, bringing this year’s festival to an end.
Police have meanwhile introduced a special traffic plan to manage the expected crowds and maintain movement around Kandy.
Heavy vehicles travelling from Katugastota towards the city will be diverted through Mahaiyawa Junction, Tilak Ratnayake Mawatha and Police Junction. Drivers of light vehicles arriving from Katugastota may use D.S. Senanayake Veediya, Cross Street and Yatinuwara Veediya before turning towards the route near the Meera Maccam Mosque and continuing along Tilak Ratnayake Mawatha.
Traffic heading towards Katugastota from the city will be able to use Tilak Ratnayake Mawatha from Police Junction towards Mahaiyawa.
Motorists approaching from Tennekumbura and Ampitiya can use Sangaraja Mawatha to reach Wales Park Junction and then turn into Ehelepola Kumarihami Mawatha. From there, separate lanes will accommodate vehicles travelling towards Colombo and those bound for Kandy city.
Access to the city will also be possible through Church Road from the Rajapihilla Mawatha Junction, where traffic will operate in both directions.
Those travelling from the city towards Ampitiya and Teldeniya can proceed from the Clock Tower Roundabout along Dalada Veediya, passing the side entrance to Queen’s Hotel and the Joy Boat area before joining Sangaraja Mawatha.
An alternative route towards Ampitiya and Tennekumbura will also be available via Ehelepola Kumarihami Mawatha, Bogambara Roundabout, Rajapihilla Mawatha and Wales Park Junction before connecting with Sangaraja Mawatha.
William Gopallawa Mawatha and Old Peradeniya Road will remain open to two-way traffic, providing additional access for vehicles travelling between Kandy and Colombo.
Police have appealed to motorists and pedestrians to cooperate with officers stationed along the affected roads and to make use of the designated diversions. With large crowds expected for the final Randoli Perahera, authorities have advised the public to allow additional time for travel and to expect delays in and around central Kandy.
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