News
Police get tough on curfew violators
In view of what they call “irresponsible and indisciplined behaviour” by members of the public, who continue to disregard the curfew imposed to minimise the spread of the deadly Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country, police have now decided to crack down even more heavily against violators who are putting both their own lives and those of others at risk.
Up until last Friday (27), all those who were arrested over curfew violations were given police bail after being booked at their respective police stations, with legal action to be filed against them later. This position changed on Friday evening, when Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Ajith Rohana announced that they were now planning to produce violators before a magistrate.
Police also ramped up the number of arrests related to curfew violations. As many as 1,167 persons and 260 vehicles used by them were taken into police custody within a 24-hour period beginning from 6 am on Friday to 6 am yesterday (28). This brought the total number of arrests since an island-wide curfew was first imposed at 6 pm on March 20 to 5,185, with 1,293 vehicles also taken into police custody.
The crackdown on violators hardened after authorities expressed frustration that large sections of the public, particularly youths, were disregarding the curfew imposed to prevent further spread of the disease in the country.
While the curfew imposed from March 20 has been periodically lifted, the districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara and Jaffna, identified as being the most dangerous areas in relation to the spread of the virus, remained under curfew until further notice even yesterday.
All suspected curfew violators will be charged under provisions of both the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance and the Penal Code, Police Spokesman Jaliya Senaratne said.
“The Director General of Health Services is the authority under the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance and police impose curfew based on his directions. Anyone who contravenes quarantine regulations under the ordinance can be arrested without a warrant and if found guilty after being charged in a Magistrate’s Court, they can be sentenced to up to six months in prison,” the SP noted.
Police will also charge suspects under Chapter XIV of the Penal Code (Offences Affecting the Public Health, Safety), specifically Sections 262 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of any disease dangerous to life), 263 (Malicious act likely to spread infection of any disease dangerous to life) and 264 (Disobedience to a quarantine rule). Those found guilty of an offence under Section 263 could face up to two years in prison whilst those found guilty under Sections 262 and 264 can face up to six months in prison.
Though arrested suspects are released on bail, their vehicles remain in police custody as releasing them now risks them being used again to travel during curfew, the Police Spokesman stated. Police will release the vehicles after the situation returns to normal, he said.
This reckless disregard for the curfew prompted the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chandana Wickramaratne to issue an order on Friday evening instructing Officers-in-Charge (OICs) of all police stations to take steps to close down all shops including supermarkets grocery shops and pharmacies in their areas that were being kept open during curfew.
Issuing a statement on Friday evening, DIG Ajith Rohana said that police were compelled to order pharmacies and supermarkets to close as there were many reported incidents of curfew violations including people driving around in vehicles in areas under curfew that day. “Such indisciplined behaviour among members of the public has severely impacted quarantine efforts aimed at preventing this disease from spreading,” he stressed, adding that police would take stern action against individuals who flout these restrictions.
The President’s Office also issued a statement insisting that the public should strictly observe the curfew and that only vehicles engaged in essential services, delivery vehicles approved by the Task Force on COVID-19, or those that have a curfew pass are allowed on the roads during curfew hours. The Health Ministry, meanwhile, noted that a programme will be implemented to deliver medicines from pharmacies direct to people’s homes.
While most of those so far arrested for violating curfew had been for loitering, there were certain cases where people were arrested for other offences during curfew. Eight people who were drinking liquor at a playground during curfew were arrested in Bandarawela on the night of March 20.
One individual from Haputale was arrested for operating a restaurant during curfew hours while two individuals were arrested in Mawanella for operating a butcher’s shop during curfew. Several persons who had operated grocery shops have also been among those who have been arrested.