Courtesy Adaderana

Sri Lanka Police says that a total of 117 persons were arrested within yesterday for not following quarantine regulations, the highest number of arrests within a single day for offences under the quarantine law.

Sri Lanka Police has intensified the quarantine operation procedures because it has been observed that Covid clusters and sub clusters have been created in various localities, police spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said. 

He said that the quarantine law gazette notification was published on the 15th of October 2020 and that however the police have been enforcing the law regarding the quarantine gazette since the 30th of October 2020.

He stated that they have arrested persons, produced them in courts and charge them under the provisions of the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance as well as the Sri Lanka Penal Code.

However, yesterday we have arrested 177 persons in connection with the violation of quarantine rules and regulations,” the police spokesman said.

This is the highest number of persons police have arrested within a period of 24 hours, since the 30th of October 2020 to date, he noted.

DIG Rohana stated that out of these individuals, 134 persons were arrested from Western Province alone and that 39 have been arrested within Colombo City.

Meanwhile 45 have been arrested in Gampaha District and 50 persons have been arrested in Kalutara area.

The police are continuing operations to arrest individuals committing offences under the quarantine law and all officers-in-charge (OICs) of police stations have been instructed to deploy police officers in civilian clothing and uniform in order to apprehend persons who violate quarantine rules and regulations, he stressed. 

He said that police officers especially observe whether the public are adhering to rules related to wearing facemasks and maintaining social distancing. 

In addition to that, no one should organize any events without the prior approval of health authorities and police, he said, adding that if an event is organized any person, he or she is liable for a punishment under the quarantine law.

We are going to strictly implement the quarantine rules and regulations. Therefore, everyone should wear a mask in public places and in public transportation.”

He added that OICs of police stations have been informed to monitor the situation in deploying surveillance teams in their respective areas.