Kapilavastu Relics:

Special traffic plan for Matara

A special traffic plan will be in operation in Matara from today to September 5, to provide devotees easy access to venues where the Sacred Kapilavastu Relics are placed for veneration, the Police Public Relations Media Unit said.

Matara: The exposition of the Sacred Relics will be held in Matara Kottegoda, Sri Sumangala Rajamaha Viharastana from tomorrow to September 5. The Relics will be taken from Wariyapola by helicopter to Matara Sanath Jayasuriya Grounds and brought to Matara Kottegoda Rajamaha Viharaya in procession. The roads mentioned below will be closed at 9 am on both days until the procession ends.

From Nupe junction to Matara bus station and Matara Beach Road from the Matara Rest House to St. Servatious College junction, Dharmapala road, Nupe junction to Rahula junction and Walgama junction. Vehicles can ply on all roads except Sunanda Mawatha between Walgama junction to Rahula junction after the procession.Parking is available for light vehicles at Sujatha Vidyalaya playground, Central College, Hittetiya Dharmaraja Vidyalaya, Paburana Sariputta Vidyalaya, Wewahamiduwa Wanigasekara Vidyalaya, Sanath Jayasuriya Grounds, Mahinda Wijesekara Grounds, opposite Walgama railway station, along Beach Road between the Army statue and Police quarters.

Buses should be parked in designated areas on Meera Road, Yehiya Road and Swaraja Road in Issadeen Town.

A special bus service to Kottegoda Rajamaha Viharaya will be in operation from vehicle parks.

The bus service will cover the following routes. Matara bus stand to Nupe junction to Rahula junction via Akuressa main road and return via Gabada Veediya Handiya Bodhiya Handiya to the bus station. The other bus service will be from Matara bus station to Walgama junction and return via the same road to Nupe Junction and then to the bus station.

Devotees on foot coming from Walgama should come to Rahula junction and proceed to Kottegoda Vihara along Welegoda road.

Devotees from Mathotagama road can take Welegoda road at Blind School.

The exit road for devotees on foot after paying homage will be through Navodya Mawatha to Walgama junction via Welegoda road.

Vehicles transporting bhikkus and VIP pass holders should travel along Issadeen town junction on the Matara - Akuressa road and proceed to Yeheya road via Meera road.

Kottegoda Vihara can be reached via Francis Kandammbi Mawatha. The traffic plan will be in operation from September 2 to 5.

[Sacred Kapilavastu Relics exposition continues]

The Sacred Relics of the Buddha from Kapilavastu, India will be brought to the Matara Kotikagoda Raja Maha Vihara today for public veneration until September 4. From September 5 to 7, devotees can pay homage to the Sacred Relics at the Tissamaharama Raja Maha Vihara, Sept 8-10 at the Hunupitiya Gangarama and on September 11 and 12 at the Kelaniya Rajamaha Vihara.

The Relics will then be taken back to India, which sent them to Sri Lanka on a special request made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.