The Police had urged parents to drop their children in front of the school gates without parking their vehicles or blocking the traffic, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

He said waiting in vehicles in front of the gates caused huge traffic congestion on roads and it would be an obstruction to the measures that had been taken for the safety of school children.

"Parents should keep in mind to make ready their children and their bags before arriving at the gates," he said.“Parents should not worry to drop their children in front of the school gates because safety measures have already been taken to,” he added. Sri Lanka Army, Police and Civil Defence Force officers had been assigned to schools to ensure the safety of the school children and the school community. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)