Govt. goes strict on Galle Face

Used by Aragalaya protesters in 2022, now open only for religious activities, festivals, musical events

No longer for political events

The government has decided to be strict on the reservation of Galle Face Green not only for religious activities but also for all festivals, musical shows, and celebrations subject to the appropriate criteria.

The new government has reversed the Cabinet decision taken by the previous government in 2023 to grant permission only for religious activities at the Galle Face Green.

Galle Face Green was the site of the Aragalaya protest in 2022 which chased out then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa from office.

According to the Cabinet decision, the Galle Face Ground, which is under the management and administration of Sri Lanka Ports Management and Consultation Services (Pvt) Ltd, the subsidiary of Sri Lanka Ports Authority, is not to be granted permission for another purpose other than for religious purposes.

Approximately Rs. 2.5–3.0 million has to be incurred for the administration and maintenance of the Galle Face Ground, and it has been seen that the Galle Face Ground is to be used as an attractive and secure place for foreign and local tourists to traverse freely as well as a place where people can allow to participate in the festivals, musical shows, and celebrations subject to the appropriate criteria as existed prior to the year 2023, the Government Information Department said.

The Cabinet has granted approval presented by Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation Vijitha Herath to take necessary steps to make the administration of Galle Face Ground more systematically and transparently under the basis of the concept “clean and greenery Galle Face Ground”.