All shops will remain closed from 11 pm today (13) to 4 am on Monday (17), Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said.

He said that during that time people should stay in their homes and no one will be allowed to travel.

Transportation is permitted only for essential services and patients can travel to hospitals or to the nearest pharmacy to buy medicines, he said.

He also said only pharmacies and delivery services would be able to carry out their duties while others are expected to remain indoors.