Author name: Tharindu Withanage

A special joint operations and public assistance centre has been established opposite the Presidential Secretariat to ensure public convenience and safety during the festive season. This dedicated centre has been set up in response to the large crowds visiting the Galle Face Green and Port City areas in Colombo during the festive period. Located opposite the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo Fort, the center operates under the leadership of the Sri Lanka Police, with the full cooperation and support of the Tri-Forces. The facility functions 24 hours a day, enabling the public to obtain necessary security-related assistance at any time. In addition, the centre provides clean drinking water and essential emergency medical services, ensuring prompt care in case of unforeseen situations. In the event of an emergency, members of the public may seek assistance by visiting the centre in person or by contacting the following telephone numbers: Centre Hotline: 071-859 5880Fort Police Station – Senator: 071-859 1560 The primary objective of this initiative is to create a safe, secure, and welcoming environment, allowing the public to celebrate and enjoy the festive season with confidence and peace of mind.

A special traffic and security plan will be implemented in Colombo City and the Galle Face area in view of the New Year celebrations scheduled for 31 December 2025, according to the Sri Lanka Police. Police anticipate a large influx of people and vehicles into Colombo, particularly to the Galle Face Green area, from suburban and outstation locations to welcome the New Year 2026. In order to reduce possible traffic congestion and ensure the safety of the public, comprehensive traffic management and security measures have been arranged. Heavy traffic congestion is expected in the Fort, Pettah, Company Street, Maradana, Kollupitiya, Bambalapitiya, and Kurunduwatte Police Divisions. Traffic in these areas will function as usual on 31 December 2025; however, if severe congestion arises, the following traffic diversions and regulations will be enforced as required. Proposed Traffic Arrangements Vehicles exiting Colombo via Galle Face Middle Road will be diverted from the NSA Roundabout along Galle Face Middle Road, turning left at Baladaksha Mawatha Junction (MOD Junction), proceeding through Baladaksha Mawatha, Aliya Nana Roundabout, Markan Marker Mawatha, and then towards Kollupitiya via the Galle Face Roundabout. Vehicles entering Colombo from Galle Face Middle Road will be permitted to proceed from the Galle Face Roundabout to Baladaksha Mawatha Junction and onwards. Travel from Galle Face Roundabout to Aliya Nana Roundabout via Markan Marker Mawatha, and from Aliya Nana Roundabout to Galle Face Middle Road via Baladaksha Mawatha, will be restricted. Vehicles entering from the by-roads of Baladaksha Mawatha will be allowed to turn right and exit Colombo through the Aliya Nana Roundabout, while vehicles entering Galle Face Middle Road from by-roads must turn right and proceed towards the NSA Roundabout. Police further stated that, during the implementation of this traffic plan, parking will be strictly prohibited on pavements and main roads within Colombo City. Legal action will be taken against motorists who violate traffic regulations. Approximately 1,200 police officers will be deployed to carry out traffic control and security duties during the New Year celebrations. Parking Facilities for the Public Parking facilities have been arranged to accommodate approximately 5,900 vehicles arriving in Colombo. The following locations will be available free of charge, including designated roadside parking areas where no traffic obstruction is caused: Baladaksha Mawatha, Fort Police Division – MOD Car Park (towards Beira Lake) Coastal Roads in Kollupitiya, Bambalapitiya, and Wellawatte D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha (Fort and Maradana Police Divisions) Parsons Road Exit Lane (Company Street Police Division – limited area) Galle Road, Wellawatte (from Savoy area to Bagathale Road Junction – designated bays only) Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha (Kurunduwatte Police Division – left entry lane from Nelum Pokuna Roundabout to Library Roundabout) F.R. Senanayake Mawatha, Kurunduwatte Police Division Reid Mawatha (right side, from Reid Rajakariya Junction to Thurstan Junction) Independence Avenue (right side from Independence Circle to Independence Square) Maitland Place, Cinnamon Gardens Police Division Foundation Institute Road, Cinnamon Gardens Police Division The following paid parking facilities will also be available: Old Manning Commercial Complex Parking Lot, Bastion Mawatha (Pettah Police Division) Wimaladharmasuriya Clock Tower Parking Area (Fort Police Division) Hemas Parking Lot, Razik Fareed Mawatha (Fort Police Division) Lake House Car Park, D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha Leyden Bastion Mawatha (Fort Police Division) Bristol Street and Duke Street (Fort Police Division) Access Tower Car Park, Union Place–Dawson Street Junction (Company Street Police Division) St. Clement’s Car Park near Gamini Roundabout (Maradana Police Division) Police stated that four traffic route maps relevant to the above arrangements have been issued and requested the media and the public to give wide publicity to this information to minimize inconvenience to motorists and pedestrians.

The Sri Lanka Police Ranking Tournament, organized annually by the Sri Lanka Police Tennis Association in association with the Sri Lanka Tennis Association, was held at the Police Tennis Grounds in Colombo on 19, 20, 21 December 2025. Children aged 12-16 years representing all provinces of the island were given the opportunity to participate in it, and competitions were held for both men and women. According to the performances of this tournament, which was held for the 07th time, the Under-12 champion was Mathisha Fernando. Sethiya Silva was the runner-up. Senuli Thimansa Wickramaratne won the Under-12 Girls Championship, while Naduli Kurakulasuriya was the runner-up in the same age group. The Under-16 Boys Championship was won by Yonal Dankumbura. The Runner-up was Aken Manoharan. The Under-16 Girls Championship was won by Yoneli Senadheera.

A community service programme aimed at supporting the educational needs of children in the Trincomalee Police Division was successfully conducted on 24 December 2025 at the premises of the Officer-in-Charge of the Trincomalee Division. The initiative was organized by the Police Seva Vanitha Unit to identify schoolchildren requiring assistance and to provide them with essential learning materials to enhance their educational pursuits. As part of this programme, 1,000 sets of books were distributed among deserving children. This event marked another phase of the community welfare initiatives implemented under the patronage of the Honorable Chairperson of the Police Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs. Nilmini Nita Samaratunga, reflecting the Unit’s continued commitment to uplifting children through education. The programme received full support from a group of young volunteers led by the Incumbent of the Wadduwa Samudrarama Temple, Venerable Gammana Wijaya Dhamma Thero. The event was graced by the presence of Venerable Gammana Wijaya Dhamma Thero, Eastern Province Senior DIG Mr. Waruna Jayasundara, DIG Mr. Mahinda Dissanayake, Trincomalee Divisional Officer Mr. Chandrapala, Officer-in-Charge of the Children and Women’s Bureau, Women’s Chief Inspector Ms Nimali Fonseka, and Officer-in-Charge of the Seva Vanitha Unit, Ms Padmini Jayawira. With the participation and cooperation of all stakeholders, the programme was conducted successfully, providing meaningful support to children in the Trincomalee Division and reinforcing the importance of community-driven educational assistance.

A new initiative enabling motorists in the Eastern Province to pay traffic fines through the GovPay online payment system was officially launched on 23 December 2025 at the main auditorium of the Ampara Headquarters Police. The inaugural programme was jointly implemented by the Ministry of Digital Economy, the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) and LankaPay, marking a significant step towards digitalising public services within the traffic law enforcement system. The event was attended by Deputy Inspector General of Police (Traffic and Road Safety) Mr. W.P.J. Senadheera, ICTA Project Manager Udari Withanage, Technical Division representative Inuka Mayakaduwa, and LankaPay Assistant Manager Migara Silva, who briefed police officers of the Ampara Division on the operational aspects of the system. As part of the programme, a number of modern smartphones were symbolically distributed to traffic officers to facilitate the use of the online spot fine payment mechanism in the field. Also present were Senior Superintendent of Police – Ampara Division Mr. P.B. Kasthuriarachchi, Assistant Superintendent of Police – Ampara District Mr. I.H.B.G. Sampath Kumara Wickramarachchi, Officers-in-Charge of the respective police divisions, OIC of the Information Technology Division Mr. P.P.P. Lakmal, and officers attached to the traffic units. With the implementation of this facility, motorists in the Ampara District will be able to settle traffic fines electronically via GovPay. Offending drivers may obtain guidance directly from the police officer issuing the fine. Upon completion of the online payment, the driving licence can be released immediately. Where necessary, fines may also be paid at a later time by following the instructions available at 👉https://govpay.lk/si/spot-fine](https://govpay.lk/si/spot-fine)

A large number of people and vehicles are expected to arrive in Colombo City, particularly in the Galle Face area, on 24 December 2025 in connection with the 2025 Christmas Festival. In order to minimize traffic congestion during this period, the Sri Lanka Police has planned to implement a special traffic management plan. Heavy traffic congestion is anticipated within the following police divisions in Colombo City, especially Fort, Pettah, Company Street, Maradana, Kollupitiya, Bambalapitiya, and Kurunduwatta. Traffic will function as usual within these areas on 24.12.2025; however, the following traffic arrangements will be enforced only if severe congestion occurs. Special Traffic Arrangements – • Vehicles exiting Colombo via Galle Middle Road should proceed from the NSA Roundabout, along Galle Middle Road, and turn left at the Baladaksha Mawatha Junction (MOD Junction). Vehicles should then proceed towards Kollupitiya via Baladaksha Mawatha, Aliyanana Roundabout, Markan Marker Mawatha, and the Galle Face Roundabout. • Vehicles entering Colombo from the Galle Face Roundabout should proceed towards the Baladaksha Mawatha Junction and continue accordingly. • Vehicles entering from the Galle Face Roundabout via Markan Marker Mawatha towards Aliyanana Roundabout, as well as vehicles traveling from Aliyanana Roundabout towards Baladaksha Mawatha, will not be permitted to proceed. • Vehicles entering Baladaksha Mawatha from by-roads will be permitted to turn right and exit Colombo via the Aliyanana Roundabout. • Vehicles entering Galle Face Road from by-roads must turn right and proceed towards the NSA Roundabout. Parking Restrictions – While implementing the above traffic plan, parking on sidewalks and main roads within Colombo City will be strictly prohibited. Legal action will be taken against motorists who violate traffic and parking regulations. Parking Facilities Provided – To facilitate visitors traveling to Colombo, the following parking facilities have been arranged: Free Parking Areas (No Charges – Subject to No Traffic Obstruction) • Baladaksha Mawatha – MOD Car Park (towards Beira Lake) • Coastal Roads in Kollupitiya, Bambalapitiya, and Wellawatte • DR Wijewardena Mawatha – Fort and Maradana Police Divisions • Company Street Police Division – Passant Road Exit Lane (only) • Galle Road, Wellawatte – From near Savoy Cinema to Bagathale Road Junction (parking bays only) • Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha, Kurunduwatte Police Division – From Nelum Pokuna Roundabout to Library Roundabout (left entrance lane only) • F. R. Senanayake Mawatha, Kurunduwatte Police Division • Reid Mawatha, Kurunduwatte Police Division – From Reid Rajakariya Junction to Reid–Thurstan Junction (right side of the road) • Nidahas Mawatha, Kurunduwatte Police Division – Right side of the road from Independence Roundabout to Independence Square • Maitland Place, Cinnamon Gardens Police Division • Foundation Institute Road, Cinnamon Gardens Police Division Paid Parking Facilities – • Old Manning Commercial Complex Car Park, Bastion Road – Pettah Police Division • Wimaladharma Suriya Clock Tower Car Park – Fort Police Division • Hemas Car Park, Razik Fareed Road – Fort Police Division • Lake House Car Park, DR Wijewardena Mawatha • Leyden Bastion Road – Fort Police Division • Bristol Street – Fort Police Division • Duke Street – Fort Police Division • Axe Tower Car Park, Union Place / Dawson Street Junction – Company Street Police Division • Gamini Roundabout (St. Clement’s) – Maradana Police Division