The green light has been given to open the A-26, Kandy- Mahiyangana road running beside the Sri Dalada Maligawa in the heart of the Kandy city, for vehicular traffic other than heavy vehicles.

This road was closed for vehicular traffic since 1998 after the LTTE bomb attack on the Sri Dalada Maligawa.  The lifting of the restrictions on vehicular traffic along this road will come into effect after a study by the Ministry of Defence , Public Security, Law and Order.

This is in response to a communication sent by Kandy Mayor L. B. Aluvhiare on November 11 this year to President Mahinda Rajapaksa and copied to the Defence Secretary.   Subsequently, after a feasibility study by the Army High Command, Group Captain S.K.Pathirana has informed the Mayor of Kandy L.B.Aluvihare, the conditions on which the road could be opened for vehicular traffic, running non stop from Queen's Hotel Junction passing the residence of the Diyawadana Nilame.  However vehicle movements will be restricted between 5.30 am and 7.pm. The letter from Group Captain S.K. Pathirana of the Ministry of Defence has pointed out that heavy vehicular traffic should continue on the Lake bund road.

Kandy Mayor L.B.Aluvihare told the ' Daily Mirror ' yesterday that it was up to the Road Development Authority or the Sri Dalada Maligawa authorities to carry out the logistical arrangements on the road for easy flow of vehicular traffic.