By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya  

Permission had been granted to keep bookstores open during the restricted periods, the police said.  

The permission was granted after IGP C.D.Wickramaratne had made a request to the Director General of Health Services to keep bookstores open during the quarantine curfew period.  

The IGP has requested permission to keep bookstores open in compliance with the health instructions issued by the government and under the supervision of public health inspectors.  

The IGP has made the recommendations following a written request made to the IGP by the Secretary of the Sri Lanka Book Publishers’ Association Samantha Indeewara Samarasiri.  

The Association has informed that continual closure of bookstores has adversely affected the students and their online education without the required books.  

Accordingly, the health authorities granted permission to open and maintain bookshops in compliance with all health guidelines.  

The IGP issued instructions to all Senior DIGs in charge of the provinces, DIGs in charge of the District, other senior officers and OICs in this regard.