Twenty eight (28) persons not complying with self-quarantine held in Suduwella, Ja-Ela

Twenty eight (28) persons who were not complying with self-quarantine procedures, even if they were asked to do so, were held during a naval intelligence operation in the village of Suduwella, Ja-Ela today (09^th April 2020).

Nilanthambi Prasad Dinesh, a taxi driver of Suduwella, Ja-Ela, has been hospitalized by the police, in connection with an assault incident. With the onset of COVID-19 symptoms, he was examined and later it was revealed that he contracted novel coronavirus. It is in this backdrop, 28 people who were in direct contact with him, were informed to go through self-quarantine at their homes, by Ja-Ela Public Health Inspector's Office. However, there were reports that these persons were roaming in the area, violating the self-quarantine regulations.

In this turn of events, the Western Naval Command launched a special intelligence operation in search of the group who had been escaping the security forces and apprehended the 28 individuals. The accused are now at the Ave Maria Church in Ja-Ela, in the custody of the Navy. In view of the health and safety of the people in the area, they are to be shifted to the Naval Quarantine Center in Oluvil soon.

The Chief Prelate of the Maradamadu Church in Ja-Ela, Ja-Ela Police and District Medical Officers also assisted for this operation.