Assaults on tourists in Mirissa: Minister assures ‘Absolute Safety’ in future

17 April 2018 08:01 pm - 14 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Minister John Amaratunga today apologized to the Dutch tourists who were assaulted by a group miscreants in Mirissa on April 8 and assured them 'absolute safety’ in the future.

He told a news conference that his ministry was concerned about the safety of tourists because the government depended on the huge revenue generated by the tourism industry.

“We are sorry about what happened and apologize to those tourists for the harassment they faced. We guarantee absolute safety in future for tourists, with the support of the Police,” the minister said.

He said the tourists also have a responsibility to check with whom they associate or travel with.The minister said his ministry would inquire whether the hotels or lodges were registered with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) and that police presence on beaches was vital to avoid such unfortunate incidents.

“Tourist Police should be decentralized to tourist destinations to ensure tourists' safety and would encourage tourists to move around without fear. If policemen seem insufficient, I suggest additional security by the Police Special Task Force (STF) after discussing with the Law and Order Minister,” he said.

Meanwhile, the minister said it was the Government’s primary responsibility to ensure the safety of tourists and that they returned to their country with happy memories.

He said investigations would be conducted and maximum legal action taken and without delay. (Thilanka Kanakarathna)

Video by Indika Sri Aravinda

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Comments - 14

Mohamed Tuesday, 17 April 2018 08:04 PM

Sri Lanka has become a thug world now. Present , PMministers, officials, law and order all in mess - Riots, fights, accedents, corruptions !!! , Uncertainity, fear , OH my God !!!

MARTIN MILTON Tuesday, 17 April 2018 08:22 PM

Good words but who can say if they will be carried out. The Tourist Police and STF need to be at hand quickly to attend to such incidents and take any criminals into custody. MM

Ceylon Tuesday, 17 April 2018 08:41 PM

Howcome tourisrs can find hotels are safe or not??.its the responsibiliyy of tourism authority and police to keep all hotels areas safe and all the country safe.tourists travel everywhere.

rajitha7 Tuesday, 17 April 2018 08:54 PM

You want law-and-order prevailing regardless of tourist revenue. Fix police failures across the board so that it benefits both locals and tourists.

DJ Tuesday, 17 April 2018 08:58 PM

Thugs should be dwelt with the same way they treat innocent people. They can carryout their sentence in prison hospital after the treatment by STF. The law should have provisions for this

Sunil Wednesday, 18 April 2018 06:58 AM

Just loose talk, Nothing productive will come out of this.

Lankan Wednesday, 18 April 2018 02:04 PM

You are 100 % correct

shehan Wednesday, 18 April 2018 10:36 AM

Own minorities of Sri Lanka are not safe in Sri Lanka.. How come a tourist would be safe.

ranam Wednesday, 18 April 2018 12:30 PM

Go to eastern province and see who is not safe from whom.

AJ Wednesday, 18 April 2018 10:54 AM

A mechanism is needed to make public sector employees accountable. This will make our country efficient and reach the heights of Singapore/Japan.

Jaliya Wednesday, 18 April 2018 04:06 PM

Then you have to start with the politicos ... they are the first in-line ... in the public sector.

ND Wednesday, 18 April 2018 11:10 AM

An absurd remark to make 'tourists should be safeguarded because they bring in much needed revenue'!! Whether anything brings in revenue or not, it's the duty of the government to safeguard the safety of its citizens and maintain law and order in the country. Typical of our uneducated politicians. Holding on to power to enjoy the perks and privileges of tax payers money while doing nothing for the tax payer!!

Review cric Wednesday, 18 April 2018 11:16 AM

What utter nonesense. This old man should be sent to a retirement home. In Mirissa, bars are open on poya days ( whereas in colombo and elsewhere its not ) and the restaurant are racist against Sri Lankans. They don't let you in to any club at night and there are no policeman in the area in case of violence.

Vimal Carlos Wednesday, 18 April 2018 01:04 PM

This southern culture has been there for twenthy years or so. They are so backward in education and common sense . And to blame is the central goverment that spend most of the money in Gampha District.

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Assaults on tourists in Mirissa: Minister assures ‘Absolute Safety’ in future

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