Monday Jul 27, 2026
Monday Jul 27, 2026
Monday, 27 July 2026 06:45 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Police have recommended removing the Kavadi dance segment from the Devinuwara Sri Uthpalawanna Vishnu Devalaya Perahera scheduled for tomorrow (28), citing security concerns following intelligence assessments of a possible confrontation.
The recommendation was made by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya and conveyed to the Basnayake Nilame of the Devalaya by Matara District Secretary Chandana Thilakaratne yesterday.
According to reports, intelligence assessments by the Chief of National Intelligence, the State Intelligence Service, and the Police Special Branch indicated the possibility of a confrontation involving groups connected to the organisation of the Kavadi event and performers.
The development follows claims circulating on social media regarding an alleged dispute involving underworld figures linked to the Kavadi procession. However, those claims have not been independently verified.
Against this backdrop, the IGP has recommended in writing that the Kavadi dance segment scheduled for 28 July be removed as a security precaution.
The annual Devinuwara Perahera festival is currently underway under heightened security.
