High security zone cancelled

All the roads that were barricaded in and around the Presidential House in Janadipathi Mawatha were given unrestricted access yesterday (22) by the Minister of Public Security, Christian Affairs and Disaster Management John Amaratunga.

Minister Amaratunga said that the ministry will take steps to eliminate the high security zones in and around the Colombo City, with the blessings of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

“Apart from the guard given to the Presidential Palace, and the guard in front of the gates of the Presidential Palace, all other barricades and guard posts will be removed” said the Minister, adding “All the barricades that are around Colombo that restricted access to the public will be removed and the public will have unrestricted access.”

The DIG Traffic, Amarasiri Senarathna said that traffic jam seen around this area will significantly decrease because the public can now travel through Chatham Street instead of taking the long distance route. “However, bus routes will not yet be amended, but will remain as they are for the time being” said the DIG.

“We hope to avoid public inconveniences at all costs. This is the first step we will take towards making the City of Colombo a better place” the Mayor of Colombo A.J.M. Muzammil said.

According to the Ministry, the restrictions that were imposed for buses on the Bauddhaloka Mawatha were also removed to grant easier travel access and to save fuel. The Minister said that these steps will also reduce pollution in the city caused by vehicles.

by Cassendra Doole

#government