Galle Face Drive not out of bounds to public

Galle Face had not been declared out of bounds to civilians. It has been closed to the public as its promenade was being given a face lift and not for security reasons, Military Spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said yesterday.

He said the government had not banned civilians entering the drive at Galle Face, starting in front of Galle Face Hotel and joining the Galle Face Centre Road close to the Bandaranaike statue due to security considerations.

"People continue to use this stretch of the Galle Face and it is chock-a-block during weekends with many families from the surrounding areas visiting the place."

In the mornings it’s a common sight to see people including expatriates and foreigners walking, jogging or doing exercise on this stretch, he said.

Asked whether the area will be out of bounds to the public during the SAARC Summit, Nanayakkara said the Defence Ministry had still not announced the areas but it was very likely that the public will not be allowed to enter the Galle Face area only during this particular period.