Large crowds expected at Esala Perahera

S. M. Jiffrey ABDEEN Kandy South Group corr.

The Kandy Esala Perahera of the Sri Dalada Maligawa will commence on July 27 with the Kumbal Perahera and conclude on August 5 with the final Randoli Perahera.

The Day Perahera will be on August 6, said Sri Dalada Maligawa Diyawadana Nilame Nilanga Dela Bandara. The planting of the kap will take place on July 22.

Diyawadana Nilame Nilanga Dela Bandara said with the ending of the 30 year conflict and normality being restored, large crowds are expected for this year's Esala Perahera. The route of the first Kumbal Perahera on July 27 will be extended this year. It will start from the Maligawa Square and proceed along Dalada Veediya, D.S. Senanayake Veediya (Trincomalee Street), Pansala Para, Deva Veediya, Srimath Bennet Soysa Veediya, Kotugodella Veediya, Raja Veediya and back to the Maligawa Square.

With the planting of the Kap the Inner Perahera will commence on July 22 by parading within the Sri Dalada complex from July 22 to 26, before it takes to the streets on July 27 with the Kumbal Perahera which will conclude on July 31.

The grand Randoli Perahera will commence on August 1 and conclude on August 5. The Diyawadana Nilame said the annual Peraheras of Sri Vishnu Devale of Devinuwara and the Esala festival of the Ruhunu Kataragama Devale will also be held at the same time and there will be a heavy demand for elephants to participate in the Peraheras.

Despite this, 80 to 100 elephants will be arranged to participate in the final Randoli Perahera. The water cutting will take place in the early hours of August 6 at the Getambe Ferry of the Mahaweli Ganga and conclude with the Day Perahera on August 6.

Meanwhile, over 7,000 policemen from all Police Divisions in the country will be deployed for the Esala Perahera, Deputy Inspector General of Police Pujith Jayasundera said.

He said initial security arrangements are being looked to tighten all loose ends and discussions with Security Forces have been held. Vehicles and the public coming to the hill capital during the Esala festival season will be checked while the public is advised not to bring unnecessary baggage which will delay them at checkpoints.

Those entering the perahera route will also be subjected to physical checks. A large number of foreign tourists are also expected to witness the perahera.