Police ramp up patrol duties, add barricades in locked down areas
COLOMBO – Sri Lanka police began increasing patrol duties and road barriers on Wednesday (23) in areas where authorities have imposed travel restrictions. Police said the barricades and ramped-up police presence will continue till Friday (25).
Police spokesman Senior Deputy Inspector General (SDIG) Ajith Rohana told reporters security had been increased islandwide from 8:00 p.m. Wednesday and will continue till 4:00 a.m. Friday when restrictions are expected to be relaxed.
The travel restrictions imposed on May 21 were relaxed on Monday (21) after 29 days.
The 30-hour temporary lockdown, that comes into effect Wednesday night will cover the Poson Full Moon Poya Day, a Buddhist holiday that marks the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, that falls on Thursday (24).
“During the day, undercover police officers will be on duty in places where there can be possible gatherings,” Rohana warned.
Police arrested over 400 people on Tuesday (22) for not following quarantine regulations. Since October last year, 42,347 individuals have been arrested for violating lockdown rules and quarantine regulations.
Meanwhile, authorities on Wednesday isolated eleven more Grama Niladhari Divisions in Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts.
-economynext.com