Police launch special monitoring operation during festive season

A special police inspection operation will be put in place on the roads during the Sinhala and Hindu New Year festive season and until the end of the seasonal period, the police said.

Police spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said if the drivers are found to have consumed alcohol or taken drugs, no bail will be allowed once they are arrested.

He also requested the public take precautionary steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during the new year season.

He requested the public to honour the basic health guidelines such as wearing facemasks, washing hands and maintain physical distancing. 

More than 1,000 police officers are being deployed to monitor the situation and to conduct surveillance operations. 

Mobile police patrol, foot patrols and motorcycle patrol are assigned in their respective police divisions to monitor the situation, he said.

Meanwhile, all the Officers-In-Charge of police stations have been instructed by the Police HQ to take appropriate action against the COVID-19 quarantine law violators.

Also, he appealed to the public to obtain prior approval from health authorities and the police before organising or conducting any public event that has a large gathering. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)