More than 600 curfew violators arrested as country enters islandwide curfew

COLOMBO (News1st): Police arrested more than 600 curfew violators during the last 24 hours, as the country entered an island-wide curfew on Thursday. Accordingly, the number of arrested curfew violators rose to 47,866 since curfew was imposed on March 20 to stem the spread of the coronavirus. Police said that 209 vehicles were seized for travelling without a valid permit during the curfew, raising the total number of seized vehicles to 12,448. Sri Lanka will be under a countrywide curfew until May 11. "However, people will be able to decorate their homes for the Vesak Festival. But decorating houses in groups is prohibited," DIG Ajith Rohana said. The Vesak Festival, celebrated on Thursday, will witness muted celebrations, due to the situation surrounding COVID-19.