A special operation had been launched by the Police to trace those who had travelled out of the Western Province prior to the quarantine curfew coming into effect disregarding the prior notifications issued by the Police and the Security Forces.

Accordingly, Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana warned that all such persons who had violated these orders would be charged under the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance.

He noted that reports regarding persons who had somehow avoided being detected at Police checkpoints and had left the Western Province to vacation at lodges, tourist hotels and guest houses in other Provinces have been obtained by the Police.

“We had informed those residing in the Western Province prior to the curfew, not to leave the Western Province under any circumstances before quarantine curfew was imposed,” DIG Rohana said, adding that details of people who disregarded the request will be obtained and those who enter the Western Province after the curfew has been lifted on Monday morning will be strictly monitored.

“Cases will be filed against them if it is revealed that they had left the Province on Thursday or Friday,” he stressed.

“We have also established roadblocks at all entry and exit points in the Western Province and no one is allowed to enter or leave the Western Province under any circumstance. However, those engaged in essential services would be permitted to perform their duties as required,” he added.

The Police Spokesman appealed to the public to cooperate with the authorities and remain at home without engaging in travel and assist the authorities and follow health guidelines in order to bring this Covid spread under control. However, he noted that those sitting for the GCE A/L examination and those engaged in essential services could travel by using their service ID.

Meanwhile, DIG Rohana also noted that the Police had arrested 24 persons for violating quarantine curfew within the past 24 hours, ending yesterday morning. In addition, 178 vehicles have been taken into police custody. Since the quarantine was imposed from the 04th of October, the police had also arrested 1259 curfew violators.

Quarantine curfew is being implemented in 117 police areas within the Western Province and Kuliyapitiya. Quarantine curfew will remain in the 68 police areas where it was imposed earlier. However, the other 49 areas in the Western Province will be lifted at 5.00 am on Monday.