Security strengthened for Poson pilgrims

by Ananda Pathiraja

The Police Department will deploy 7,500 personnel to provide security to pilgrims visiting Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa during the Poson season. Of this, 6,000 will be deployed in Anuradhapura, Mihintale, Thantirimale, Avukana and Vijithapura areas, and the balance 1,500 in Polonnaruwa and Somawathie areas a police sportsman said.

The Poson festival committee has divided to set up two additional temporary bus terminals at Ramakelle and the Anuradhapura National School grounds in addition to the permanent public bus stands at Anuradhapura for pilgrims' convenience.

The Raja Rata Bus company will curtail services on long distance routes and concentrate on short distance routes to cater to pilgrims from the North Central Province travelling to sacred cities while other regional bus companies will bolster services by deploying 200 additional buses to and from the sacred cities to cater to the pilgrims, said General Manager P. Sumanasekara.

This will be in addition to Private bus services operated by the North Central Province Road Transport Authority.

The Sri Lanka Railways will operate 40 special trains from Colombo Fort to Anuradhapura and back to cater to pilgrims traffic. Special trains will also be operated from Anuradhapura to Mihintale when necessary.

Special life saving units will be deployed near tanks to help bathers in an emergency. Anuradhapura Mayor B.K.L Dias said 130 permanent public toilets and 112 semi-permanent toilets have been set up in the Sacred City while 52 permanent toilets have been set up in new town for the convenience of pilgrims.

There will also be 34 dansalas and 47 vehicle parks in Anuradhapura during the Poson season.