Record 617 arrested for breaching quarantine regulations: Police

COLOMBO (News 1st): A record 617 people were arrested on Friday (May 08) for the violation of quarantine regulations in a 24-hour window, the highest number of such arrests made in a single day, Sri Lanka Police said. "Sri Lanka Police are conducting continuous quarantine operations across the country. Yesterday (06) we have arrested the highest number of suspects within a period of 24-hours since the 30th of October 2020, to date. Accordingly, we arrested 617 people in connection with the offences of face masks and social distancing," Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana told News 1st on Saturday (May 08). According to the Deputy Police Chief, 6539 people have been arrested so far for the violation of quarantine regulations, since the 30th October 2020, to date. "Those arrested include 342 suspects who were arrested from the Colombo city from 5:00 am to 8:00 pm on Friday (07). A special operation was conducted in the Central-Colombo area and 119 people were arrested for the violation of quarantine regulations," he noted. Whilst emphasizing that quarantine operations will continue round the clock, the Deputy Police Chief urged the general public to follow the respective health guidelines published by the Director-General of Health Services (DGHS) on the 1st of May 2021. "If they violate the health guidelines published by the Director-General of Health Services (DGHS) on the 1st of May 2021 and the provisions of the gazette notification published on the 15th of October 2020, they are liable for an offence. If they are found guilty of the charges, the court could impose six-months rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 10,000," Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana sternly advised the general public.