Police security and special traffic plan for May Day rallies across the island

May Day parades, meetings, and various celebrations are organised in many parts of the island to coincide with International Workers' Day on 01 May 2026. The Police Media Division announced that major meetings and parades will centre around Colombo city, while various organisations will hold commemorative events in other regions. All police stations are briefed to ensure a peaceful environment, manage traffic, and maintain road safety. The Inspector General of Police issued instructions to Senior Deputy Inspectors General of Police to facilitate necessary arrangements for provincial rallies.

The locations and traffic plans for rallies and parades by political parties and trade organisations in Colombo are as follows:

National People's Power (NPP)

The meeting takes place at the public car park in front of the National Youth Services Council in Maharagama. Police request the public to use alternative routes due to potential congestion on High-Level Road:

• Vehicles leaving Colombo: Turn right at Delkanda junction, left at Rattanapitiya junction, left at Boralasgamuwa junction, and right at Maharagama clock tower toward Homagama.


• Alternative for light vehicles: Turn right at Delkanda or Gamsabha junction toward Pepiliyana, then left to Boralasgamuwa toward Homagama.


• Heavy vehicles leaving Colombo: Travel under the Nugegoda flyover to Kohuwala, turn left to Boralasgamuwa, and right at the Maharagama clock tower.


• Vehicles entering Colombo: From Homagama, turn left at the Maharagama clock tower to Boralasgamuwa and proceed via Kohuwala (Route 120).


• Heavy vehicles entering Colombo: From Pannipitiya, proceed via Thalawathugoda, Kimbulawela, Japan-Friendship Bridge, and Rajagiriya.


• Congestion backup: If traffic is heavy, vehicles from Panagoda may be diverted to the Low-Level road instead of High-Level Road.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB)

The rally is held at the P.D. Sirisena Stadium in Maligawatta. Parking for 1,155 vehicles is allocated across areas including Jayantha Weerasekera Mawatha, Panchikawatta Road, Sangharaja Mawatha, and Baseline Road from Bandaranaike junction to Dharmarama Road.

Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP)

The meeting occurs at Campbell Park, Borella. Bus parking is available on Baseline Road from Dematagoda to the Prison junction, J.D. Fernando Mawatha, and Ward Place. Light vehicles can park at Leslie Ranagala Mawatha.

Frontline Socialist Party (FSP)

The parade starts at Hyde Park, moving through Maradana Road, Dean’s Road, Soysa Circus, Lipton Circus, and Union Place. Bus parking is provided at Vauxhall Street and Union Place.

Ceylon Bank Employees' Union and Free Trade Zones Union

The parade starts in front of the Lake House, Fort, and proceeds along Olcott Mawatha to the E.A. Gunasinghe Stadium (Saunders Park) in Pettah. Parking is allocated at Central Road and Bodhiraja Mawatha.

Communist Party of Sri Lanka and Socialist People's Front

The parade begins at Ayurveda junction and travels through Castle Street, D.S. Senanayake junction, and Borella junction to N.M. Perera Mawatha (Cotta Road). Parking is available along Cotta Road.

Sarvajana Balaya

The rally is held at Park Avenue, Borella. Bus parking is designated at Kinsey Place, with light vehicle parking at Park Avenue.

Ceylon Mercantile Industrial and General Workers' Union (CMU)

The parade starts at the union headquarters on Bala Tampoe Lane, moves to Galle Face roundabout, Kollupitiya junction, and returns to the headquarters. Bus parking is on Marine Drive from the Kollupitiya railway station toward Bambalapitiya.

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and T.B. Ilangaratne Forum

The meeting is held near the T.B. Ilangaratne statue at the Rotunda roundabout. Parking is available on Perahera Mawatha from Rotunda junction to Alwis Place.

Guru Viduhalpati Jathika Balawegaya

The meeting is held near the N.M. Perera Centre on Cotta Road, with light vehicle parking available in front of the centre.

Christian Workers Fellowship

The parade starts at St. Michael's Church, Colpetty, moving through Hudson Road and Nelson Lane before returning to the church. Parking is on Perahera Mawatha toward James Peiris Mawatha.

United Socialist Party

The parade starts near the Government Stores Complex in Orugodawatta and proceeds via Stace Road to Kosgas junction. Parking is provided at Vincent Perera Mawatha.

Police officers, intelligence units, motorcycle patrols, K9 units, and Special Task Force personnel are deployed to cover all celebrations. W.M. Minura Senarath, Acting Director and Acting Police Media Spokesperson, requested public cooperation for these security measures.

Special security arrangements and traffic management plans are in place for the International Labour Day rallies and parades scheduled for 1 May 2026. The Police Media Division announced that while major political parties and trade unions centre their activities in Colombo, extensive plans cover other key cities across the island to ensure public safety and smooth traffic flow. Police officers, intelligence units, motorcycle patrols, police dogs, and Special Task Force personnel will provide security for these events.

Anuradhapura

The National People’s Power rally begins at the Ramakele area near Niwanthakachethiya College. The parade proceeds through Market Place, Bank Roundabout, and D.S. Roundabout to reach the New Bus Stand grounds. Vehicles from Puttalam and Kurunegala can use the Dahaiyagama Junction via Kohomba Gas Junction to reach Jaffna Junction. Those from Kandy or Jaffna can follow the reverse route. Parking is available on the right side of the road from Sinha Pillar to the tool factory, at Mihindupura and Vivekananda grounds, and the left side of the road from the Provincial Council Roundabout to Aditya Hospital.

Kalutara

The National People's Power parade starts at Katukurunda Junction and moves along the Colombo-Galle road towards the Kalutara South bus stand. Traffic will be diverted to the left lane between Kalutara South Clock Tower and Katukurunda Junction, which will accommodate two-way travel. Parking is designated at the grounds near Kalutara North railway station, Wadiyawatta grounds, and the Prairieland auction land on Palathota Road.

Kurunegala

Starting at Boyagane Maha Vidyalaya, the National People’s Power parade travels through Colombo Road, Dambokka Junction, Wehera Junction, Navinna Junction, and the Clock Tower Junction to Sathyawadi grounds. Vehicles travelling between Colombo and Dambulla should use the Bar Wadapoala and Gettuwana routes. Parking is provided on both sides of Dambulla Road, Puttalam Road near the Technical College, and various locations, including the Rajapihilla Park and the private bus stand.

Galle

The parade moves from the Dewata expressway entrance light signal to Samanala Grounds. Vehicles from Colombo to Matara should turn at the Galle bus stand signal onto Gamini Mawatha, proceeding through Dickson Junction and Karapitiya to reach the expressway entrance. Heavy vehicles from Colombo should park in the Mahamodara area, while those from Matara should park in front of the Dewata cement factory.

Matara

The parade occupies the Colombo-bound lane from Nupe Junction to Fort Gate. The other lane remains open for two-way traffic. Alternatively, vehicles heading to Tangalle can turn at Nupe Junction towards Rahula Junction and Gabada Street. Parking is available along the beach road, Hakmana Road, and the left side of Akuressa Road.

Nuwara Eliya

Beginning at Hawa Eliya Hospital Junction, the procession passes Forest Junction, Windsor Junction, and Main Street to reach the UD Grounds. Traffic from Welimada to Kandy should use the Sandathenna road via Magasthota Junction. Parking for buses is divided by their origin, with Badulla buses at Upper Lake Road and Kandy buses near the Mayor’s residence and Park Road.

Kandy

The parade starts near Edmund Silva Grounds on William Gopallawa Mawatha, moving through Sambodhi Mawatha and Sirimavo Bandaranaike Mawatha to Getambe Grounds. Vehicles from Katugastatota to Colombo should use the Gohagoda road. Parking is allocated at Gannoruwa, in front of the Court Complex, and on Second Rajasinghe Mawatha.

Matale

Starting at Aluvihara Rajamaha Viharaya, the parade travels along the A-9 road to the Nugagaha and Kumara Street Junctions, ending at the Ambagahamula bus station. One lane of the main street remains open for traffic from Kandy to Dambulla. Parking is available on Vihara Road, Dharmapala Mawatha, and near the Ambagahamula bus station.

Kegalle

The procession moves from Ranwala Mahanaga College grounds along the Colombo-Kandy main road to the Kegalle main bus stand. Traffic from Colombo will be diverted at Ranwala Junction, while Kandy-bound traffic will turn at Meepitiya Junction. Parking is located at the Independence Avenue grounds and Kalugalla Mawatha.

Ratnapura

The parade commences near Batugedara Vidyaraja College, passing through Bandaranayake Mawatha and the Clock Tower to the main stage. Vehicles from Colombo to Badulla should divert at Weraluopa Junction through the Goodshed road. Parking is provided at the Manasara yard, behind the museum, and at various yards on Godawela and Mahawela roads.

W. M. Minura Senarath, Police Superintendent and Acting Director and Acting Police Media Spokesperson, requested public cooperation with the police during these events.