Mar 20, Colombo: Sri Lanka Navy today arrested 20 people for violating the police curfew imposed to prevent the coronavirus pandemic spreading in the country.

In accordance with the government’s initiatives to arrest the spread of the coronavirus in the country, police curfew had been imposed in Puttalam and Kochchikade, Negombo Police Divisions from 2.30 p.m. on 19th March 2020.

On receipt of information about a group of people fleeing from Puttalam to Mannar by sea, even disregarding the police curfew, a naval operation was carried out on 19th March 2020.

Accordingly, 20 persons who were prepared to set off for Mannar by boats were held by Navy in Baththalangunduwa area.

Among the apprehended persons were three women and three girls. They have been handed over to the Kalpitiya Police for onward legal action, the Navy said.

In the event of the catastrophic situation in the country, the government is strictly enforcing the law on persons who have neglected their responsibilities as a citizen and have risked the lives of other people in the country.

The Navy has already implemented a number of programs to strengthen the government's joint mechanism to control the spread of the new coronavirus. However, the way some of the public behave at this crucial moment, without extending their support for these initiatives, is highly unacceptable, the Navy said.

“In the face of this situation in the country, the Navy is working tirelessly for the safety of the people, while risking the lives of its own men. While the public has been well briefed on controlling the spread of the virus in the media and in all other respects, the Navy stands ready to bring to justice those who act contrary to the given instructions,” the Navy Media Unit said in a statement.