• 1,563 arrested over various crimes 

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya   

More than 3,000 people in the Western Province have been warned for not wearing face masks and failing to maintain social distancing in public places, Police said.   

 Accordingly, a total of 2,093 people were warned for not wearing face masks while 968 people were warned for failing to maintain social distancing during special raids carried out from 6.00 am on Saturday to 5.00 am on Sunday.   

In addition, Police also arrested a total of 1,563 suspects for various crimes including for the possession of narcotics during the period from 6.00 am to 6.00 pm on Saturday.   

A total of 771 suspects who were issued arrest were also among the arrested.   
The raids were carried out on the instructions of Western Province Senior DIG Deshabandu Thennakoon.