(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) –The Police today clarified that the newly introduced National Identity Card (NIC) system will only be in effect in districts where the Police curfew is relaxed and not during curfew hours.
The islandwide Police curfew in effect due to the COVID-19 outbreak in Sri Lanka will be relaxed for the Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara and Puttalam districts, identified as high risk areas, at 5.00 a.m. on 4th May 2020.
The curfew will be relaxed for other Districts at 5.00 a.m. on Tuesday 28 April and will be reimposed at 8.00 p.m. the same day.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Ajith Rohana said the new NIC system will enable the public in areas where the curfew has been relaxed to step outside on selected days based on the last digits of their NICs.
DIG Ajith Rohana explained that the NIC system will not affect employees of the public and private sector requested to report to work, employees of institutions falling under essential services, daily wage workers, employees of the transportation sector, farmers and those engaged in agricultural activities.
It has been introduced specifically for the public who remain at home, and who are required to step outside to purchase essential goods for their daily consumption.
DIG Ajith Rohana said that the new NIC system which comes into effect in areas where the curfew is relaxed, is as follows,
Monday : NICs ending with digits 1 or 2
Tuesday : NICs ending with digits 3 or 4
Wednesday : NICs ending with digits 5 or 6
Thursday : NICs ending with digits 7 or 8
Friday : NICs ending with digits 9 or 0
People who have been placed under self-quarantine will not be eligible to use the NIC system, despite the curfew being lifted, and have been requested to remain indoors.
The ban on tours, gatherings, including religious assembly and games, will continue even if the Police curfew is relaxed, the DIG added.
DIG Ajith Rohana further said that in case someone needs urgent medical attention, one person will be allowed to accompany the patient, irrespective of the NIC system.
The individual accompanying the patient, has been instructed to obtain a Police curfew pass for this purpose.
All patients have been requested to obtain treatment within their districts, while only emergency cases will be allowed to cross districts, DIG Rohana added.
