Special Traffic Plan for the 78th National Independence Day Celebrations and Rehearsals

COLOMBO (News 1st); A special traffic plan will be implemented in the Colombo area in view of the 78th National Independence Day celebrations and its related rehearsals.

The 78th National Independence Day celebration is scheduled to be held on 04 February 2026 at the Independence Square premises.

In preparation for this event, pre-rehearsal programs will be conducted from 30 January 2026 to 02 February 2026.

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 05:00 hrs to 13:30 hrs.

(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 public and motorists are kindly requested to cooperate with the Police and to use alternative routes where possible.