Sri Lanka Police says that 253 persons have been arrested for violating quarantine regulations such as wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing, within the last 24 hours.

This brings the total number of arrests made thus far over the same offences to 54,612 persons. 

Meanwhile a total of 479 individuals and 361 vehicles have been turned back at provincial borders.

Crossing provincial borders has been prohibited except for those engaged in essential services and employees of certain sectors. 

The crossing of provincial borders will be allowed for the purposes of attending a funeral of a close relative or for medical treatment.

Police Spokesman Senior DIG Ajith Rohana stated that strict monitoring will continue at provincial borders while especial island-wide operations will be carried out to identify those flouting quarantine regulations and arrest them.

“The provincial restriction order remains as it is. Therefore, everyone should adhere with the provincial restriction order.” No one is allowed to cross provincial borders under any circumstances except the members of essential services, he said.

“We have implemented roadblocks, motorcycle patrols, foot patrols at the entry and exit points of each provinces.”

“We have received information about illegal movements of general public.” Sometimes some persons had used public transportations up to the border of each province and then thereafter they use public transportation again, he charged. 

“So, we are going to take stern action against persons who illegally cross the provincial borders and we have deployed special police teams in order to monitor the situation.”

He said police officers have been deployed in uniform and in civilian clothing in order to get information about illegal crossings.