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| Monday, 4 August 2003 |
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S. M. Jiffrey Abdeen - Kandy South Group Correspondent Large crowds thronged to see the Kumbal Perahera of the historic Kandy Esala Maha Perahera which began on Saturday evening. The main perahera from the Sri Dalada Maligawa started at the auspicious time of 7.29 p.m. and paraded along the routes as per the programme for the evening. Large crowds were seen in the Kandy town from morning itself and a lot of children were among them. The pavements along the Kandy Lake were packed. The crowds so large in the afternoon that there was a big crowd even as far as the Boat House to watch the Kumbal Perahera turning off from the Dalada Veediya to the D. S. Senanayake Veediya near the Queens Hotel entrance. At its most they would have just got the sight of the Perahera lights and the elephants but the enthusiasm never waned.DIG Nimal Mediwake and SSP Kandy Division E. M. Gunatillake handled all security arrangements which was tight. All entering the perahera route in the afternoon were physically searched by a courteous group of policemen and policewomen before allowing them to proceed. Vehicles were also searched at random at the check points at Ampitiya, Tennakumbura, Katugastota and Peradeniya as a precautionary measure. The town was kept clean by the Kandy Municipality who also ensured a steady supply of drinking water for the crowds. The Kandurata Sevaya of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation kept the crowds informed of all details and other information relating to the Esala Perahera through the public address system which was very useful as the crowds had to stay in one spot for long periods. The Peoplised Transport Services operated special services on several routes for the convenience of the crowds after the perahera. |
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