News
Special traffic plan for ICC T20 World Cup
A special traffic plan will be implemented in Colombo during the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup Cricket Tournament, which will be held from today (February 07) to March 08, 2026, police said yesterday.
Matches scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka will be hosted at R. Premadasa Stadium, Maligawatte, and the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Stadium at Cinnamon Gardens, with Colombo serving as the central host city, according to the Police Media Division.
As a large number of local and foreign spectators are expected to attend these matches, the Colombo Traffic Division has formulated a special traffic management plan to be implemented on match days, as outlined below.
Traffic Plan for Matches at R. Premadasa Stadium
Traffic restrictions will be imposed as necessary on the following roads:
* Entry towards Britto Babapulle Bridge from the junction of Vincent Perera Mawatha (Grandpass Road) via Britto Babapulle Bridge Road
* Entry towards the stadium from the vicinity of Babapulle Bridge
* Entry towards the stadium from Sebastian Canal Road via Melwatte Bridge
* Entry towards the stadium from the junction of 100 feet Road and Temple Road
* Entry towards the stadium from the side road near Maligawatte Lane (Stadium Road)
* Entry towards the stadium from the junction of Saddharma Mawatha and Temple Road (Khettarama Road)
Special Matches and Transport Arrangements
The Sri Lanka vs Ireland, India vs Pakistan, and Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe matches will be held at the R. Premadasa Stadium on 08, 15, and 19 February 2026, respectively.
On these dates:
* A special traffic plan will be enforced.
* Dedicated shuttle transport services will be operated.
* Parking facilities have been arranged at:
* R. Premadasa Stadium Car Park
* Mati Park Car Park – Grandpass Police Division
* Shuttle services will operate from:
* Old MOD Car Park
* Port City Car Park
Parking for Other Match Days
For matches scheduled on 11, 13, 21, 25, and 27 Februarym 2026, parking will be permitted at designated areas around the stadium, as per usual arrangements.
Additional parking facilities have been provided at:
* Grandpass Mati Park Car Park
* Sathosa Car Park
* Sebastian Canal Car Park
* Kovil Road
* Apple Watta
* Both sides of 100 feet Road
Traffic Plan for Matches at SSC Stadium
Traffic movement will be restricted on 07, 09, 10, 14, and 18 February 2026, on the following routes:
* Entry into Maitland Place from the Government Administration Junction
* Maitland Place from the Vidya Mawatha Junction
* Vidya Mawatha from the Wijerama Junction
Designated Parking Areas for SSC Stadium Matches
* SSC Stadium Car Park
* SSC Sports Club Car Park
* Colombo Municipal Council Car Park – Nidahas Mawatha
* Sri Lanka Foundation Mawatha Car Park
* CR & FC Car Park
* Old McDonald’s Car Park – Ministry of Sports
* Rupavahini Corporation Car Park
* BMICH Car Park
Security Arrangements
The Police Media Division stated that 1,500 police officers and 600 traffic police officers have been deployed to ensure the safety and security of both local and foreign spectators attending the T20 World Cup matches, the statement said.
Important Notices to the Public
* Spectators are strictly prohibited from bringing the following items into the stadium:
* Large bags
* Glass bottles
* Drone equipment
* Sharp objects or knives
* Drugs and alcoholic beverages
Additionally, Intelligence Officers and police officers, in civilian attire, will be deployed within and around the stadium premises to enhance public safety.
A group of Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) members, including its Leader Mano Ganesan, met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Thursday (02) morning at the Presidential Secretariat.
Extensive discussions were held on the issues faced by the Malayagam communities, particularly in relation to education, housing and land, as well as on the urgent measures required to address these concerns. The President paid special attention to all these matters.
Attention was also drawn to the recruitment of qualified Tamil-medium teachers to address the teacher shortage in estate sector schools and this too was discussed at length.
Members of Parliament P. Digambaram and V. Radhakrishnan, along with several other party members, were present at the meeting.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vijitha Herath, held talks with Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Andrey Rudenko at the Foreign Ministry, in Colombo, on Thursday (02), with both sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.
The Sri Lanka Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the visiting Russian Deputy Minister noted that Russia regarded Sri Lanka as a long-standing friend.
Rudenko assured that Russia stood ready to support Sri Lanka when required, including in the swift supply of Russian oil to help address the current energy challenges, encouraging Russian investors to explore new opportunities in the country and promoting increased tourist arrivals.
He also expressed Russia’s readiness to provide compensation for Sri Lankan war veterans who had lost their lives in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Minister Herath welcomed Russia’s willingness to assist, emphasising that Sri Lanka valued the support extended by its “old friend”, particularly at a time when the country was facing pressing energy needs.
He noted that the two countries shared nearly seven decades of diplomatic relations and said the present moment provided an opportunity to further strengthen ties, including through long-term trade agreements.
The discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in the fields of energy, investment, tourism and diplomacy, with both sides reiterating their commitment to further deepen the longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and Russia.
Police yesterday arrested 157 foreign nationals in connection with an alleged organised online financial scam, conducted from a hotel in the Iranawila area in Chilaw.
The suspects were taken into custody during a raid carried out by the Police while they were staying at the hotel in Iranawila.
Police said the arrested group included 143 nationals from China, 13 from Bangladesh and one from Vietnam.
Investigators suspect the group had been involved in a coordinated online financial scam, targeting victims through digital platforms.
The suspects are being detained for further questioning while investigations are continuing to determine the full extent of the operation and whether additional individuals were involved.Police said further inquiries are underway.
By Norman Palihawadane
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