Cop insisting on a mask proper

I was sporting a fairly large handkerchief as a mask (as one of the ties attached to the mask I had has come off) on my way to a private bank in Main Street, Pettah on company business. On my way, I was accosted by a Policeman who found fault with my hanky-mask and insisted that I should wear a mask proper. He admonished me saying I should wear a proper one, somehow or other, when I return to office. Returning from the bank I used an alternate route to get back to office thus avoiding meeting this cop!

I would like to know from the acting IGP Chandana D. Wickramaratne or the Police spokesperson on COVID DIG Ajith Rohana whether wearing a mask made out of handkerchief isn’t as good as a normal mask and if the wearer is committing an offence by doing so?

When police protection is being provided to people wearing all sorts of masks, not even observing social distance, gathered to buy liquor at various supermarkets, here is a cop insisting on a proper mask to one who was going not for booze but to the bank on official work!

Mohamed Zahran

Colombo 14