Special Traffic Management Plan: Official Visit of the President of Vietnam to Colombo (May 7–8, 2026)

Traffic Plan for the Visit of the President of Vietnam to Sri Lanka – Colombo Traffic Division

The President of Vietnam is scheduled to undertake an official visit to Sri Lanka from 07.05.2026 to 08.05.2026. During this period, the Sri Lanka Police will implement a special traffic management plan within the Colombo city limits.

Arrival – 07.05.2026 (Night)

Following arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake, the VIP motorcade is expected to proceed via: Katunayake–Colombo Expressway → Grandpass/Orugodawatte Junction → Baseline Road → Borella Junction → D.S. Senanayake Junction → Horton Place → Nelum Pokuna Roundabout → Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha → Library Junction → Mal Road Junction → Liberty Roundabout → St. Michael’s Roundabout → St. Michael’s Road → Galle Road → St. Michael’s Road Junction → Galle Road → Galle Face Roundabout → Galle Face Centre Road → Baladaksha Mawatha → NSA Roundabout → Lotus Road → Ceramic Junction → York Street.

Traffic Restrictions:

Heavy vehicles will be prohibited from entering the above route two hours prior to the movement of the VIP. All other vehicles will be restricted once the VIP convoy commences travel.

Alternative Routes:

Light vehicles entering Colombo via Kandy Road may enter via Kelani Bridge, turn right onto Grandpass–Bandaranaike Mawatha, proceed to Ingurukade Junction, then via Wales Kumara Mawatha, Armour Street, Panchikawatte Roundabout, Maradana, and Borella to connect with Kota Road (subject to convoy movement). Vehicles arriving via Galle Road, High Level Road, and Baseline Road may divert through Borella Cemetery Roundabout, Old Bullers Road, Castle Street, Ayurveda Junction, Obeysekarapura, Kolonnawa, Wellampitiya, Angoda, Kelaniya, and connect to Kandy Road or Negombo Road. Vehicles from Colombo Fort and Pettah heading towards Negombo, Kandy, or Avissawella Roads may use Olcott Mawatha, Panchikawatte, Armour Street, Wales Kumara Mawatha, and onward diversions as indicated, including Kelaniya–Biyagama Road and Reclamation Road.

Movements – 08.05.2026 (Morning – Presidential Secretariat)

The VIP is scheduled to proceed to the Presidential Secretariat.

Restrictions:

Entry of heavy vehicles, including buses, via NSA Roundabout, Galle Face Centre Road, and Bank Mawatha will be suspended two hours prior to the movement. All vehicular access will be restricted once the convoy begins its journey.

Alternative Routes:

Outbound traffic from Colombo may proceed via Ceramic Junction → D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha → Technical Junction → Sangharaja Mawatha → Maligawatta → Armour Street → Maradana → and other connecting routes including Sir James Peiris Mawatha and R.A. De Mel Mawatha.

Vehicles entering Colombo via Galle Road may turn right at Galle Face Roundabout towards Company Street.

Movements – 08.05.2026 (Morning – Public Library, Parliament & President’s House)

During visits to key locations including the Public Library, Parliament, and President’s House, traffic restrictions will be imposed along: Galle Face Centre Road → Galle Face Roundabout → Kollupitiya Junction → Liberty Roundabout → Pittala Junction → Dharmapala Mawatha → Horton Place → D.S. Senanayake Junction → Nelum Pokuna Roundabout → Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha → and adjoining roads.

Alternative Routes:

Vehicles entering via Galle Road may divert at Galle Face Roundabout towards Company Street. Traffic from Navam Mawatha, Union Place, and surrounding areas may use Ibbanwala Junction, Dawson Street, and D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha. Vehicles entering via Kandy Road and Avissawella Road will have access with minimal interruption. Outbound traffic may utilize Technical Junction, Maradana, Baseline Road, and Gamini Roundabout.

Departure – 08.05.2026 (Evening)

The VIP is scheduled to depart for Bandaranaike International Airport via: York Street → Bank Mawatha → President Mawatha → NSA Roundabout → Chaithya Road → Port Access Road → Expressway.

Alternative Routes:

Vehicles from Pettah may turn left at Ceramic Junction towards Company Street.

Traffic from D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha, High Level Road, Galle Road, and Route 120 may exit via Technical Junction, Maradana, Borella, Lipton Roundabout, and Reid Avenue. Vehicles entering Colombo via Galle Road, Havelock Road, and High Level Road may divert at Liberty Roundabout through Reid Avenue and associated routes.

General Notice

During the periods specified on 07.05.2026 and 08.05.2026, traffic limitations may be enforced on the aforementioned roads due to VIP security arrangements. Heavy vehicles will be barred from these two hours prior to VIP movements. Other vehicles will face temporary restrictions during convoy transit. The Sri Lanka Police kindly request motorists and the general public to cooperate and utilize the designated alternative routes to minimize inconvenience.