The Police Department launched a special operation countrywide during the Christmas festive season to nab drunken drivers. Accordingly, 163 persons were arrested by the police from 25-27 December, 2014. Ninety motor cycle riders, 68 three-wheeler drivers and several private bus drivers were arrested by the police.

Last year, 1,454 deaths were reported duo to drunken driving and hence steps have been taken to nab defaulters throughout the year and 1,500 well-trained police officers have been deployed for this task, a senior police officer in Kurunegala said recently.