A Nallathanniya Police officer said a large number of local and foreign pilgrims visited Sripada during the past week, marking the first weekend since the Mahagiri Damba section of the Nallathanniya Sripada road—previously affected by a landslide—was fully renovated by the Sri Lanka Army.
The officer noted that following the landslide at the Mahagiri Damba section, the number of pilgrims using the Nallathanniya route had declined significantly. However, with the Army completing renovation work on the affected section last Monday, pilgrim numbers increased over the weekend of the 9th and 10th, with many devotees arriving to pay homage to the Sacred Footprint.
Meanwhile, on the instructions of Hatton Superintendent of Police Pradeep Weerasekara, a special security programme has been implemented along the Nallathanniya route to ensure the safety of pilgrims. The programme also includes intensified checks aimed at detecting and apprehending individuals in possession of illegal drugs.
The police officer further stated that during inspections carried out on the 9th and 10th, nine youths aged between 20 and 25 were arrested for possessing cannabis and hashish. Steps are being taken to produce the suspects before the Hatton District and Magistrate’s Court.
