Beggars asking for money near vehicles waiting until lights come on ... to custody

Beggars asking for money near vehicles waiting until lights come on ... to custody

The police have launched an operation in Colombo and adjoinig areas from yesterday the 19th to arrest beggars who get close to vehicles when the vehicles stop at traffic lights. The latest incident which is closely linked in this regard is an accident which took place recently at Dehiwala junction.

It was an incident where a certain beggar was going his rounds begging for money like this and when even the green traffic light came on he had still not moved aside from his activity and as a

consequence a string of vehicles which followed had been inconvenienced . To add to this, he had been knocked down by a vehicle in the process and the man had sustained injuries. In the court case that later followed in this connection at Mount Lavinia Magistrate's Court, the lady Judge has ordered that in future when vehicles come to a halt at Dehiwala Junction traffic lights, beggars who engage in begging are to be taken into custody.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Ajith Rohana had stated that having taken into consideration continuous complaints received from travellers, this operations of arresting beggars going their rounds in this way has been launched in Colombo and all principal towns around. He has also remarked that because of certain beggars who are used to begging near traffic lights it has created the risk of road accidents and further has been a cause for traffic congestion. He also mentioned that an opportunity for the public is open to make complaints in this respect and to inform about such beggars to the Police Emergency.

(Seen from the photograph is a beggar who is engaged in begging when vehicles stop at traffic lights at the three-pronged junction at Nugegoda at the turn off to Nawala Road).