Police today arrested members of several Kavadi dance groups participating in the annual procession of the Devinuwara Uthpalawanna Sri Vishnu Maha Devalaya, after they were found in possession of narcotics during a special morning operation.

According to Ada Derana, authorities said that around 1,500 security personnel have been deployed to safeguard the procession, with all Kavadi groups scheduled to undergo instant checks.

The arrests come against the backdrop of heightened tensions surrounding the inclusion of Kavadi dancers. A dispute between two underworld gang leaders had recently escalated to a shooting incident near the temple, prompting the Inspector General of Police to recommend last Sunday that Kavadi groups be temporarily suspended from the procession.

However, following a decisive discussion yesterday (27) at the Matara District Secretariat with the participation of the Minister of Public Security, the Ministry Secretary, the IGP, and other officials, it was resolved to allow all groups that had performed Kavadi dances in previous years to take part.

The annual procession is scheduled to commence today (28) at 2.00 pm, with security forces maintaining strict oversight amid the arrests and recent unrest. (Newswire)

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