291 arrested for violating police curfew

COLOMBO (News 1st): During the past 36 hours since 6:00 pm Friday (20th) to 6:00 am on Sunday (22nd), 291 people in total have been arrested for violation of police curfew.

One such individual who was arrested while roaming the streets, during police curfew, was remanded until the 3rd of April, by the Ampara Magistrates Court. Sri Lanka Police informed that strict legal action will be taken against anyone who violates the police curfew. Meanwhile, the islandwide police curfew currently imposed in the country was extended till 6:00 am on Tuesday, 24th of March Tuesday, only for the districts of Colombo, Gampaha and Puttalam. "For the districts of Colombo, Gampaha and Puttalam, the curfew will be lifted at 6:00 in the morning of Tuesday, 24th March and re-imposed at 2:00 pm the same day," the President's Media Division said in a statement on Saturday (21st). "To all other districts except Colombo, Gampaha and Puttalam, the curfew will be lifted at 6:00 am tomorrow (23rd) and re-imposed at 2:00 om the same day and will be in effect till 6:00 am on Tuesday (24th)," said Police on Saturday (20th). "The government has instructed all bars in the country to remain closed during this period," said the President's Media Division. The Government has also requested the public not to panic unnecessarily about a shortage of food, as all the essential food items are adequately stocked and distribution of these items will continue unhindered. Farmers in the country are also allowed to continue with their cultivation activities as usual.