The Inspector General of Police has cancelled two scheduled police relief days this week to maintain full security coverage during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year holiday period.
The IGP Relief Day for police officers, originally set for Thursday, April 16, has been called off. The day was designated for reviewing appeals submitted by members of the police force. Additionally, the IGP Public Relief Day scheduled for Friday, April 17, will not take place.
The cancellation ensures that police personnel remain on active duty during the peak holiday traffic period, as hundreds of thousands of travellers return to Colombo and other cities from their hometowns.
The directive complements the broader Avurudu security operation, which includes the deployment of 8,000 police officers for traffic management and the use of expressway CCTV to detect speeding violations. Police have also activated a WhatsApp reporting system for reckless driving during the festive period.
Road fatalities during the Avurudu period have been a persistent concern, with 49 deaths recorded in the week surrounding the holiday.
