Navy apprehends 20 persons for not adhering to government initiatives to combat coronavirus

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 19^th March 2020. Though the police curfew was in effect 20 people were found violating the same and they were taken into naval custody accordingly.

In the event of such a 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. 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, the following persons who were prepared to set off for Mannar by boats were held by Navy in Baththalangunduwa area.

1. WS Fernando - Chilaw (34 years)

2. WMSN Fernando - Chilaw (32 years)

3. WN Fernando - Chilaw (25 years)

4. IP Nawas - Chilaw (24 years)

5. SS Jayawardhana - Chilaw (63 years)

6. SS Fernando - Kalpitiya (28 years)

7. WCB Fernando - Kalpitiya (22 years)

8. MBM Rukshana - Kalpitiya (18 years)

9. MBMV Almeda - Kalpitiya (16 years)

10. MBMM Lesintha - Kalpitiya (20 years)

11. AK Fernando - Kalpitiya (21 years)

12. N Fernando - Kalpitiya (43 years)

13. MB Almeda - Kalpitiya (42 years)

14. Nimlet Sharmali Cruise - Chilaw (46 years)

15. Sudari Wshnika Dabarera - Chilaw (22 years)

16. S Mariya Prasanthi Cruise - Chilaw (26 years)

17. Kristin Jude Selwaraj Cruise - Chilaw (52 years)

18. Amisha Harshani - Chilaw (09 years)

19. Regiya Shewani - Chilaw (04 years)

20. Shanudi Shehara - Chilaw (06 month)

Among the apprehended persons were 03 females and 03 girls as well. Meanwhile, the apprehended persons were handed over to the Kalpitiya Police for onward legal action.The Navy has already implemented a number of programmes 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. 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.