Sri Lanka Police have launched a special operation, which will last during the festive season from 9th to 20th April, to detect and arrest motorists driving under the influence of alcohol.
 
According to Police media spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekara, 1200 police traffic officers will be deployed in Colombo city area while all other Police stations will also launch traffic missions and special traffic plans as required.
 
During the festival season last year, 1980 drunk drivers were arrested. Most of them were motorcycle riders.

In addition to these traffic operations, extra Police and civil squads are also to be deployed to strengthen the security during the festival season.

He further requested from the public to beware of lighting crackers and swimming in reservoirs during this season.

Meanwhile the government says that special raids will be carried out during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year season to find low quality foods sold in makeshift stalls.
 
According to the Director General of Health Services Palitha Mahipala, the food sold in most of those makeshift-stalls are not made using recommended ingredients or at least stored hygienically.
 
According to the Chief Medical Officer of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) Dr. Ruwan Wijayamuni, 837 cases have filed against such places in 2015 in CMC area and fines worth Rs 700,000 received from 238 cases.