First Randoli procession of Kandy Esala procession to parade streets tonight

The first Randoli procession of the Kandy Esala festival will take to the streets today at the auspicious time of 6.44 p.m.

The colourful procession will feature the processions of four main Devalayas, tuskers and elephants, dancers and traditional Hewisi drummers.

The final Randoli Perahera is scheduled for Thursday, on the night of the Nikini Full Moon Poya Day, while the traditional water-cutting ceremony will be held the following day at the Getambe ferry.

Meanwhile, police have introduced a special traffic plan in Kandy for the duration of the Perahera and have advised motorists to use alternative routes.

Heavy vehicles arriving from Katugastota can proceed towards Kandy via Tilak Ratnayake Mawatha from Mahaiyawa Junction through Police Junction.

Light vehicles can use D.S. Senanayake Street, Cross Street and Yatinuwara Street before joining Tilak Ratnayake Mawatha.

Vehicles travelling towards Ampitiya and Teldeniya can use Sangharaja Mawatha and alternative routes via Wales Park, Bogambara and the railway station area.

Police advised motorists travelling to and from Colombo to use William Gopallawa Mawatha and the Old Peradeniya Road.