Police announce traffic arrangements for IIFA

Sandasen MARASINGHE

Acting Inspector General of Police Senior DIG N.K. Ilangakoon stated all security measures are in place for the International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) ceremony and connected events commencing today and ending on June 5.

Speaking at a press conference at the Police Headquarters the Acting IGP stated that security is provided solely by the Sri Lanka Police with support from the Three Forces on instructions of IGP Mahinda Balasooriya under the guidance of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. He stated that no foreign security agents will be involved in providing security.

He also stated that thousands of additional police personnel were deployed for this purpose and emphatically stated that no one without valid passes would be allowed into the premises where events are held. With reference to the traffic arrangements DIG Lucky Peiris stated that today there would not be any special program to close roads.

For the cricket match held at the SSC grounds on June 4 the roads from Maitland Cresent junction to Public Administration Ministry junction, the Maitland Cresent road from Independent Avenue to Maitland Place and the Vidya Mawatha from Wijerama junction to Public Administration junction will be closed from 10 am. Vehicles will not be allowed to park along these roads from 7 am today.

For the final event held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium on June 5 the Prince of Wales Road from Ingurukade junction to Armour Street and the Baseline Road from Bandaranaike junction to Ingurukade junction would be closed from 3 pm. During these hours the Leyards Broadway road from Kosgas handiya to Prince of Wales, Parakrama Road from Kosgas handiya to Prince of Wales road and Bloemendhal Road from Sangarajah Mawatha to Mat Park will be closed.

Vehicles coming to Colombo from Negombo on June 5 have to turn at the Hendala junction and proceed along the Hekiththa Road to reach Mattakuliya and then to Colombo. Those who come along the Kandy road should turn from Belummahara Junction or from Kiribathgoda junction and reach Kaduwela and proceed to Malabe and then to Colombo.