Police arrest 12 for violating curfew

Police arrested 12 persons from various parts of the country for violating the island-wide curfew imposed from 6pm last evening to minimise the spread of COVID-19. 

Police Media Unit stated that the largest number of arrests were made in Bandarawela, where police arrested eight persons who were drinking liquor and loitering at a playground in Mahaulpatha at about 10.15pm last night. The suspects, aged between 18 and 56, are residents of Bandarawela and Uvaparanagama. They are due to be produced before the Bandarawela Magistrate today. 

Two suspects who were loitering around Katunayake town around midnight yesterday were also taken into custody. The suspects aged 43 and 44, are residents of Eppawala and Minuwangoda and will be produced before the Negombo Magistrate today. 

An individual who kept an eatery open in Haputale in violation of the curfew was arrested at about 10.10pm last night. The 35-year-old suspect, a resident of Haldummulla, is due to be produced before the Bandarawela Magistrate today. 

A 27-year-old resident of Beliatta was taken into custody while riding a motorbike under influence of liquor during curfew in Tangalle at about 10.15pm last night and is due to be produced before the Tangalle Magistrate later today.