Special traffic plan for 78th Independence Day celebration and rehearsals

Sri Lanka Police said a special traffic plan will be implemented in view of the 78th National Independence Day celebrations, which are scheduled to take place under the theme ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’, and the preceding rehearsals for the event.

The 78th National Independence Day celebration is scheduled to be held in a grand manner on 04 February 2026 at the Independence Square premises and pre-rehearsal programs will take place on January 30 and 31, and February 01 and 02, according to the Police Media Division. 

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 05:00e hrs to 13:30 hrs 

04.02.2026 (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 statement added. 

The public and motorists have been requested to cooperate with the Police and to use alternative routes where possible.

Watch the video above for explanation of traffic plan…