Police to increase crack down on illegal liquor production, during curfew

Colombo (News 1st); The Curfew which will come into effect at 08 PM today will be in effect across the island until 05 AM on Monday the 27th of April.

DIG Ajith Rohana speaking at the National Operations Centre for Preventing COVID-19 stressed on the importance for the general public to act responsibly during the coming days. He said in the areas where the curfew was relaxed this week, Sri Lanka Police deployed its personnel in civil attire and it was observed, the general public failed to follow social distancing guidelines. DIG Ajith Rohana said those who operate public passenger transport services must only transport 50 percent of the seating capacity. Sri Lanka Police together with Health Officials is conducting operations across the island to locate those who violate the quarantine guidelines. DIG Ajith Rohana said when the curfew was relaxed in some areas, certain individuals have reportedly made purchases to produce spirits illegally. He stressed special police teams will be deployed, especially during the weekend, to crack down on illegal liquor production. Movement from one district to another remains prohibited. The Director-General of Health Services had vested all powers with the Acting Inspector General of Police in terms of the provisions of the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance, to enforce the law. DIG Ajith Rohana said legal action will be instituted against anyone who fails to follow the guidelines issued, when the curfew is on or relaxed, in terms of the provisions of the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance