Police clamp down on Traffic light beggars, warn public against donations

29 April 2024 09:31 pm - 14 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Colombo, April 29 (Daily Mirror) - The Police Department today urged people not to give money to those begging from them in vehicles stuck at traffic lights within the Colombo city limits.

Addressing the media Senior DIG Traffic Administration and Road Safety, Indika Hapugoda, mentioned that police officers from the 45 police divisions and 607 police stations have been instructed, through a circular signed by senior officers, to remove beggars causing disturbances to vehicular traffic.

"During the mission, 94 beggars who violated the circular were arrested last week and presented before the courts. However, due to current conditions, these beggars cannot be detained for extended periods. Given the lack of facilities, they are released on bail after being fined," he said.

Even after being released on bail, these beggars often return to their usual activities. With approximately 180 traffic lights within the Colombo municipality, beggars frequently take advantage of red lights to enter the roads and resume begging.

The beggar menace at traffic lights in Colombo city limits has increased, causing significant challenges for motorists and all road users, including children.

Due to the lack of procedures for the police department to remove, rehabilitate, and arrest beggars, a video announcement in three languages is being published to educate the public about avoiding helping beggars at traffic lights within the Colombo city limits.

This initiative aims to discourage beggars from approaching traffic lights as they will no longer receive assistance, the Senior DIG said.

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Comments - 14

Anil Fernando Monday, 29 April 2024 09:47 PM

The cops were sleeping all these decades.

Use Fines to Assist these Needy People Monday, 29 April 2024 11:10 PM

Fine those cars giving contributions to them. Beggars who are fit should serve community cleaning services and provided with meals. Those medical unfit should be housed in government run facilities near hospitals and provided meals. Money to fund these programmes will be by collecting fines from vehicles who violate traffic rules. Also, impounding those illegal highway and night racing vehicles. Auction Off their vehicles minus any high performance spare parts which should be scrapped. Only with stern punishments that bad habits will change.

Hassanda Monday, 29 April 2024 11:12 PM

Good Move by the Police Dept

Gt Tuesday, 30 April 2024 01:27 AM

Instead of arresting and issuing fines to ultra poor people, why not help them instead to find work or some sort of training, any one of these beggars could be your brother, sister, mother, father, the greed of politicians is the root cause of these and every issue in sl, without rhe mass theft within gov, they could use that money to build training centres that offer on the job training and job placements after completion, don't just arrest and fine them, think of who they ate trying to feed

Morris pan Tuesday, 30 April 2024 06:25 AM

Why not charge the motorists who give alms to begger then there no way the beggers will be at traffic light to beg

Mehendra Fernando Tuesday, 30 April 2024 07:09 AM

Most of these people have psychological issues. Send them for treatment instead of calling them a menace and arresting them.

Anonymous Tuesday, 30 April 2024 08:36 AM

Arresting and fining the poorest will not solve any problems. You can't hide the increasing poverty rate.

Voter Tuesday, 30 April 2024 08:42 AM

Spot on .They are a nuisance and enriching some one else.

ranfer Tuesday, 30 April 2024 08:51 AM

Good decision. Should remove all the beggars from the roads. Beggars have become a Mafia and a Business.

Tissa Fernando Tuesday, 30 April 2024 08:52 AM

Beggers remain beggers for ever. There may be a begger boss who controls all these beggers.

Citizen2023 Tuesday, 30 April 2024 09:18 AM

This is a good move to avoid drivers being harrassed n the risk of accidents. The Police should be deployed at signals to avoid this menace. But, a separate place should be selected by the Enforcement authorities to house these beggars and offer them food donated by the well wishes. Public should be notified by huge posters in prominent junctions to invite donations and such offerings should be carefully monitored n distributed to the beggars without corruption.

M Fernando Tuesday, 30 April 2024 01:04 PM

The newly-formed STF Unit should shoot them, every man, woman and child, regardless of age. They are creating a bad image for the country and the tourists who come to visit will get a bad impression and think that we are a poor country.

Need to Manage It Sensibly Tuesday, 30 April 2024 03:25 PM

When’s was your last visit for a mental assessment? Everyone around the world is aware SL is a bankrupt nation owing billions of dollars and holding on to paying back the creditors. It is what it is and only the politicians are to be blamed. Unfortunately, it has increased poverty and ways needs to be found to manage it and it’s not by shooting down people. SL is rooted with Asian values and most people practice Loving Kindness.

ajith Tuesday, 30 April 2024 02:25 PM

The daily income of these people is more than the daily income of many people who travel in vehicles. These people should be taken and directed to something like productive agriculture for the country.

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Police clamp down on Traffic light beggars, warn public against donations

Comments - 14

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