30 May 2020 12:00 am
By Sandun A Jayasekera
Western Province DIG Deshabandu Tennakone said the Police have been instructed to arrest those who violate health guidelines on the COVID19 pandemic and that 168 people were arrested during the 24-hour period ending at 6.00 am yesterday while 267 were arrested the previous day.
He said these arrests were in addition to those arrested on charges violating the curfew in the Colombo and Gampaha Districts.
“We have observed that despite repeated warnings and requests some people do not take pay heed to the need to protect themselves and to avoid being, in any way, instrumental in spreading COVID19,” Mr. Tennakone said.
He said since March 20, 66,662 people were arrested on charges of violating the curfew while 18,778 vehicles were taken into custody. The DIG said 22,591 were charged under the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance and 9, 067 of them were convicted of the proffered charges.
He said up to 12 noon yesterday, 143 people were arrested for violating the curfew while 45 vehicles were taken into custody.
Meanwhile, a countrywide curfew will be imposed on Sunday, May 31 and again on Thursday, June 4 and on Friday, June 5 while on June 1, 2 and 3 and on June 6 onwards, the curfew will be effective between 10 pm and 4 am until further notice.