All public, private meetings and events banned

• Strict action against those who violate Disease Ordinance   

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya   

The government has decided to ban all public and private sector meetings and events with immediate effect until further notice due to Covid-19 outbreak in the country, police said.   

• The law would be strictly enforced on any person who violates the Ordinance

Acting IGP has notified all police stations to make the public aware of this matter using loudspeakers.  Police said, according to the Disease Prevention and Quarantine Ordinance, provisions have been made for the arrest of any person who contravenes the quarantine regulations without a warrant.  In addition, according to the Penal Code, reckless acts that lead to the spread of any life-threatening disease under section 262 of the Public Health and Safety Act and malicious acts that can lead to the spread of a life-threatening disease described in the 263 section and disobeying a quarantine rule under section 264 had been defined as an offence. In such instances, a police officer could make arrests without a warrant.   
“If a person was arrested under the above offence, the suspect could be produced in court without bail,” police said.

   
They said that it is also possible for such suspects to be remanded without bail by a Magistrate.   Therefore, the police said the law would be strictly enforced on any person who violates the provisions of the Prevention of Disease Ordinance.