Police have recommended removing the Kavadi dance segment from the historic Devinuwara Sri Uthpalawanna Vishnu Devalaya procession scheduled for July 28, amid security concerns linked to a possible dispute involving underworld elements.

The recommendation was made by Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya and communicated to the Basnayake Nilame of the Devalaya by Matara District Secretary Chandana Tilakaratne on Sunday (26).

According to reports, intelligence assessments by the Chief of National Intelligence, the State Intelligence Service and the Police Special Branch have indicated the possibility of a confrontation between groups connected to the organisation of the Kavadi event and performers.

The development comes amid several claims circulating on social media regarding an alleged dispute involving underworld figures connected to the Kavadi procession. However, many of these claims have not been independently verified.

Against this backdrop, the IGP has strongly recommended in writing that the Kavadi dance segment scheduled for July 28 be removed as a security precaution.

The annual Devinuwara Perahera festival is currently underway amid heightened security. (Newswire)

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