Sri Lanka's hill capital Kandy is in full swing to host the 62nd Independence Day celebrations on Thursday, February 04.

The security has been strengthened in and around the city, Senior DIG Nimal Mediwaka said. A special security and traffic plan will be in operation with regard to the Independence Day celebrations and the Deyata Kirula Exhibition in Kandy.

Several roads in downtown Kandy will be closed from 4:00 in the morning till 12.00 noon on 4th February for the I-Day celebrations to be staged in the Maha Maluwa of Dalada Maligawa (Temple of Tooth Relic).

An alternative route has been set up for the through travelers from Colombo to Mahiyangana, Matale, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Kurunegala and Nuwara Eliya. They are advised to use the road via Peradeniya, Getambe, Guhagoda, Katugastota, Madawala and Digana.

Meanwhile, a special bus service will be in operation for the convenience of those travelling to attend the Deyata Kirula exhibition to be held in Pallekele, Kandy, the Sri Lanka Transport Board informed.

According to SLTB sources, 600 buses would be deployed for this purpose. A special train service will be provided by the Railways Department to Kandy to complement the bus service.

The special service will operate between Kandy and 15 main cities in the island and the service will operate to outstation destinations from Kandy after 11pm, government sources said.