Large crowds seen in upcountry towns With the lifting of curfew after six days

By Ranjith Rajapakse and Shelton Hettiarachchi   

Large crowds flocked to the towns in the upcountry yesterday to buy provisions when the curfew was lifted for a few hours after six days.   

Payment of relief allowance of Rs.5,000 to the estate sector families who had been facing hardship was continuing for the last several days. Most of the people had however ignored the precautions and preventive measures laid down by health authorities, and the police and the security forces had to instruct them on social distancing and other precautions.   

Trade activities in markets in Hatton, Bagawantalawa, Maskeliya, Norwood, Talawakelle, Kotagala and Nuwara Eliya were in full swing.