52 deaths in road accidents within five days

• 1,834 drunk drivers arrested
• 399 road accidents reported

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya 

Fifty-two people have lost their lives and 669 were injured in road accidents within a period of five days since April 13, Police said. 

Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said some 399 road accidents have been reported during that period. 
Police arrested a total of 1,834 persons were arrested for driving under influence of alcohol. 
Also, the Police have taken 2,242 vehicles into their custody violating traffic regulations, causing accidents and drunk driving. 
DIG Rohana said 12 buses, 38 lorries, 128 cars, 553 three-wheelers, 1,429 motorcycles, 22 cabs and 22 dual-purpose vehicles were taken into custody. 

“Honour traffic regulations by driving with road sense, adhere to traffic rules and regulations and avoid excessive speed, over speeding, and drunk driving are the major causes for road mishaps,” he cautioned the motorists. 
Meanwhile, they launched a special 18-hour countrywide operation from 12.00 noon yesterday till 6.00 am today to apprehend drunk drivers on all roads including expressway entry points. 

DIG Rohana said the Police Headquarters has informed all officers in charge of police stations, officers in charge of territorial divisions and the directors of highway traffic patrol and Colombo City Traffic Division to conduct a special operations to arrest drunk drivers.