The Kavadi dance was removed from the Devinuwara Vishnu Perahera due to an underworld issue.

Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya has recommended the temporary removal of the Kavadi dance performance, which was scheduled to be held on the upcoming 28th as part of the 769th annual Esala Maha Perahera festival of the historic Uthpalawanna Sri Vishnu Maha Devalaya in Devinuwara. Acting on this official written notification issued by the Inspector General of Police via a letter dated July 25, Matara District Secretary Chandana Thilakarathna has informed the Basnayake Nilame of the Devalaya, Arachchige Thilina Madusanka, to take the necessary steps to remove the relevant Kavadi Perahera component.

This decision has been reached based on intelligence assessment reports provided by the Chief of National Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence, the State Intelligence Service, the Police Special Bureau, and the Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police for the Southern Province. The reports state that a severe controversial situation has arisen between the parties of two organized crime gangs, 'Dehi Bale Malli' and 'Unakuruwe Shantha', during the selection of Kavadi groups this year. This tense situation has further intensified after the administration took steps to remove several Kavadi groups that behaved in an undisciplined manner during last year's Perahera season. Although 47 groups had applied for Kavadi dances this year, the administration, including the Basnayake Nilame, had already taken steps to remove 20 of them.

An organized criminal named 'Kanjipani Imran', who is currently abroad, has released voice clips on social media, threatening that problems could arise during the Perahera if his faction's Kavadi groups are not given an opportunity, and has also issued death threats to the Basnayake Nilame who organizes the Perahera. In response, 'Dehi Bale Malli' has also released threatening voice clips, and these voice clips were widely publicized on mainstream media as well as social media networks.

Commenting on these precautionary measures, Police Media Spokesperson, Attorney-at-Law and Assistant Superintendent of Police F. U. Wutler stated that this recommendation was made based on existing intelligence information to prevent undue fear or tension among the public. He further explained that a primary objective of this step was to prevent any international disrepute to the country if a criminal conflict were to occur, especially since a large number of foreign tourists also visit to witness the historic Perahera festival.