STF obstructed when disinfecting Dambulla Economic Centre

The Special Task Force (STF) states that their officers and health workers attached to the Dambulla Urban Council were obstructed from properly disinfecting the premises of the Dambulla Economic Centre on Saturday morning (28) by groups of traders. 

The Dambulla Economic Centre was kept open until midnight on Friday to enable traders coming from across the country to purchase vegetables. The STF and health workers from the urban council commenced disinfecting the premises around 2am prior to the opening of the economic centre early in the morning. 

However, some traders began to open their shops whilst the disinfection process was ongoing and commenced trading while vehicles were also being parked at the premises. Some traders also converged in groups to purchase vegetables, severely obstructing those engaged in disinfecting the premises. 

Attempts by the STF to explain the situation was met with an angry response by some traders, who continued to operate their businesses. Accordingly, officers said they were unable to complete the disinfection process owing to their work being obstructed in this manner. The STF said it would complain to the Matale District Secretary and the Task Force on COVID-19 about what happened. 

Text and Pix by Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa