Mirissa assaults: Four arrested

13 April 2018 02:06 pm - 45 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Four suspects have been arrested by the Weligama Police in connection with the sexual and physical assault of tourists in Mirissa, the Tourist Police said.

The four suspects are said to have been involved in the incident according to initial investigations.

On early Sunday morning, male and female tourists at a Surf Bar in Mirissa were reported to have been sexually and physically assaulted by “beach boys” cum employees at a Bar and Restaurant in the area.

Four complainants, including a Dutch tourists and females who were assaulted, lodged complaints with regard to the incident with the tourist police.

All statements identified the place at which the assault occurred. The incident is said to have been the culmination of a pervasive culture in the coastal belt at which sexual and physical harassment by beach boys is rampant.

Earlier, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) said that the entity at which the assault occurred was not registered with them and was therefore run illegally.

Making a strong statement, Minister of Tourism John Amaratunga promised stern action against the Surf Bar if found guilty.

An eyewitness to the incident commenting on the video page of Daily Mirror “W Now” said that the assailants had behaved like animals.

“I was also there at the time. They were like animals. They attacked ladies like in a boxing game. We could not do anything because they threatened us asking why are you looking at this. Mirissa is not a safe place” the eye witness said.

Many patrons to Mirissa took to social media to highlight the rampant sexual harassment and abuse in the area.

One of the patrons said “Not the first time authorities have been notified on surf bar - I did this myself three years ago. No action was taken. Not only Surf bar, there are at least three more establishments on that strip that has absolutely no licences to be there - run by political thugs.”

Following the expose by the Daily Mirror, many patrons of Mirissa both locally and internationally have detailed experiences of consistent abuse and harassment at the hands of the Surf Bar- and the wider culture prevalent in the area.

Visiting Local tourists said that there have been numerous occasions of assault by “beach boys” and coastal locals when local tourists have been found even having a conversation with a foreign female.

“The culture is sick. People are assaulted for speaking with a white girl. The beach boys are a law unto themselves and the local businesses at which they work almost always turn a blind eye”, they said.

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Comments - 45

Vimal Carlos Friday, 13 April 2018 02:16 PM

To be frank, These people have there brain there arse and it looks like South Africa down there. People with Rasta fari and bob Marley are there idols.

Aj Friday, 13 April 2018 04:47 PM

Vimal do not talk stupid I live SA people do not behave like this watch what you say .

replyingidiots Saturday, 14 April 2018 06:07 AM

What do you know about Bob Marley and Rastafari? Don't talk about what you do not know

Unchikun Friday, 13 April 2018 02:23 PM

The hotel owners, taxi driver, hotel staff in Mirissa are very uncivilized. I do not say they behave like animals as the animals are better behaved. The best and simple solution is to avoid the south and visit the North, East or Central parts of Sri Lanka.

Anton Friday, 13 April 2018 02:39 PM

Dear Minister, You know the bar is running illegal. Why not take action to close it. Why you are waiting for the inquiry to find ,the bar is accountable or not. What the police patrols are done , until the the incident occurred. As a Tourism Minister , you should feel shame. As a Sri Lankan I feel shame on this . There are our Guests. We have responsibility to protect them.

Gana Saturday, 14 April 2018 05:20 AM

You asked about Police patrols, as in all over Sri Lanka Police are always in the hands of the businessmen who bribe them in exchange for protection.If the Police are not corrupt the beach boys wouldn’t have the courage to behave this way.

Dee Friday, 13 April 2018 02:42 PM

Not only hotel staff but in General Southern Sri Lankans are not civilized. Refrain from going down south.

Harsha Saturday, 14 April 2018 10:50 PM

What an idiotic statement is this. Adequately displaying your ignorance to the world.

Dee Sunday, 15 April 2018 06:40 AM

@Harsha. You the beach boys who owns this place? Obviously you are from the south , so what more can we expect?

A. K. Adwani Friday, 13 April 2018 02:55 PM

Shoot them on the spot and kill them before Sri Lanka becomes Shit Lanka

Lankan Friday, 13 April 2018 03:29 PM

What the business owners are doing about this mence ?

Saman Friday, 13 April 2018 03:31 PM

The Police should beat the living daylights out of those idiots for tarnishing our country name.

Azi Friday, 13 April 2018 06:21 PM

Country name?, it is already spoiled and these are just addings

Anthonypillai Friday, 13 April 2018 03:33 PM

Police should patrol area regularly in the night as well.Many tourists like the south coast. So it's our duty make the area safe for local and foreign tourists.

Arthur Friday, 13 April 2018 03:41 PM

This requires immediate drastic action. No need to wait till they are found guilty. Bar is unlicensed. Close and seal it at once. Call a meeting of all hotel owners in the area to draw up and implement a scheme for the protection of guests in their premises. Increase tourist police deployment in the area.

Wasantha Friday, 13 April 2018 03:51 PM

MIRRISSA IS FINISHED AS A TOURIST AREA.THE OTHER HOTELS TOO WILL SUFFER NOW.

sunny Friday, 13 April 2018 09:45 PM

so do Unawatuna, Hikkaduwa, Midigama, Weligama, Dikwella, Tangalle

malij Friday, 13 April 2018 05:04 PM

The country has gone to dogs. Unless a strong, incorruptible leader like Lee Kwan Yu takes over the reins there is no hope. It is sad to say that except for few, all the politicians in the government and the opposition are either corrupted to the core or weak or both.

Unchikun Friday, 13 April 2018 06:12 PM

Dogs are well behaved. I may sadly say that "The country has gone to the uncivilized humans". We send them to parliament to ride luxury cars and eat our tax money.

S.P.RAMKUMAR Friday, 13 April 2018 05:48 PM

Tourist police have to be strengthen, Emergency police number must be informed to tourist, Concern hotels licence should be cancelled if they not take care to inform police immediately, In this incident hotel employees are bloody culprits.

sena* Friday, 13 April 2018 05:52 PM

here mentioned those hotels are not registered, authorities please check them,

mihilr Friday, 13 April 2018 05:56 PM

Mirissa doesn't look like a friendly place. I felt it as a local tourist. This Hotel and Bar owners are high from their success. To all tourists avoid Mirissa and Galle area.

Dee Friday, 13 April 2018 06:02 PM

Rule of thumb. "Do not proceed beyond benthota river"

Suresh Friday, 13 April 2018 06:29 PM

Anyone reading this don’t go to mirissa area just leave these bastards jobless stay until galle don’t go beyond , useless tourist police why can’t you keep petrol 24/7 our SL can’t see a white female with short skirt they are so frastrated

Lordshane Friday, 13 April 2018 06:53 PM

The tourism minister knows nothing about his subject, the goverment is full of pambayas who knows nothing about every thing, but keeps on going knowing everything about nothing untill they recodnise them selfs as master of disasters.

Kathirgaman Friday, 13 April 2018 07:56 PM

local travel agencies should propose new itinerariesTo foreign tour operators in which clients should not Stay at Marissa but they can stay at Kalutara andbentota .After Yala .with sight seeings of GalleOvernights should be at Bentota areas.If the Ministry of tourism is not scared he must withdrawAll licences granted illegally to these stray bars and hotelsOr any police patrols~~??

Don Friday, 13 April 2018 08:21 PM

Mirissa beach hotels have become dens of drug users, and it is becoming a dangerous area especially at night, not only for foreign tourists but for locals as well.

Asanka Friday, 13 April 2018 08:24 PM

This is true, The Southern coastal belt, specially from Aluthgma to Thangalla is very hostile to locals too. As a person working at a leading tourism firm, I have first hand experiences regarding these beach boys and Three wheel drivers. In one occasion, in Aluthgama, thugs came on a two threewheel to kidnap me and the crime i did was, talk to a couple which my company bought to Sri Lanka for they're honeymoon trip.

Brainmaster Friday, 13 April 2018 08:28 PM

These beach boys learn from the behaviour of some politicians and their VIP sons. Boys are boys what to do via DM Android App

Ad Friday, 13 April 2018 08:43 PM

Police have to be told that law is being broken all the time. Otherwise they wouldn't know. If law cannot be enforced, people of the area should ensure that justice is done by castrating the criminal.

Sunnyside4U Friday, 13 April 2018 09:43 PM

Next is Weligama. Beach is taken over by thugs n mafia and Marriott

A.H.PERERA Friday, 13 April 2018 11:35 PM

If the government is clean and wants to make Sri Lanka a better place to live, as a first step they should do this, publish the names and addresses of the hotel license and bar license holding establishments on the internet. Then anyone can report an establishment around them that is not on the list. And assign one authority accountable to monitor and take action. Also, define what is the action that will be taken when there is no license before hand. (The action has to be defined clearly, then no one can come up with stories like, we will look into, inquire about it, and all sort of nonsense)

Lalin Saturday, 14 April 2018 04:45 AM

How long was this hotel operating without license, why wasn't any action taken so far, who is the authority responsible to take action, and now what is the punishment for not taking action, are all the punishments are for the general public, and not for the authorities?Let's leave alone the politicians, they are there to make money and enjoy perks, what about the journalists, why aren't they questioning these, are they too existing for the same purpose as the politicians.

Blair Saturday, 14 April 2018 05:00 AM

THIS REMINDS US AGAIN AND AGAIN ,THE APPOINTMENT OF A PERSON OF THE CALIBER OF SF FOR LAW AND ORDER.

KUMARA Saturday, 14 April 2018 05:20 AM

Well done boys! You all are making this country ' A place not to visit' for foreigners.Then you can live with lunu kenda and the country will drop from bad to worse for tourists.The tourists are our guests, use you brain and avoid going to south, then they will know, government will wake up.

Upasena gamage Saturday, 14 April 2018 06:39 AM

A separate group of people should always patrol along the coastal belt in order to tame the beach thugs and goons who behave worse than some animals.People deployed like detectives with weapons should confront these sea urchins by attacking instantly until they run away.Then only thuggery wouldn't definitely be rampant. Make a group of young educated boys who could handle the bad situation with the help of the local police without giving into tips and fringe benefits given by restaurant owners.

manithan Saturday, 14 April 2018 07:03 AM

Good they are arrested and they should be punished as early as possible to show the world that SL has few people who behave bad but otherwise it is a paradise.Authorities concern should take measures so as to prevent the occuring of similar incidence.These people should be educated on the ill effect it brings to the country.cancell license of the hotel involved.

dulan Saturday, 14 April 2018 09:15 AM

These comments are exaggerations. I have holidayed there twice and the beach is full of foreigners many families with young kids too. It is one of the nicest beaches in sri lanka. But I agree such behavior must be severely punished and the beach made safe for all.

Anonymous Saturday, 14 April 2018 09:31 AM

Dear Tourist Minister, Been a Hotelier by profession, I think you need to close down the entire strip consisting of all illegal and illisit Bars and restaurants immediately. How would you feel if your daughter or son were treated in such a manner. Please think, these so called owners have no idea on how to cater to foreign clients or let alone local community. There actions are leading to the distruction of tourism of this beautiful country and tarnishing our name in the international community. I feel ashamed and disgusted to see such in appropriate behaviour by fellow countryman. I very well know that there is alot of backing up by higher officials to keep sweeping incidents of such under the carpet. You should take this as a serious issue and take stern action against these thug's who think they can take the law into there own hands. And to all my fellow hoteliers, travel agents, and srilankan citizens, please refrain from going to Mirissa.

Ajith Saturday, 14 April 2018 10:37 AM

Change the OIC of the police in that area. Everything will be in order.

Damian Saturday, 14 April 2018 11:32 AM

Shut these bars for good and take the culprits and owners to task

nalin Saturday, 14 April 2018 12:07 PM

One can forget about receiving justice from local Police. The STF should be sent to this lawless beach and given a free hand to clean the garbage bums within a month. Next stop should be the Beruwala/Bentota coast.

Shelly Saturday, 14 April 2018 07:21 PM

What is the Police doing , I just returned from Anuradhapura on via Puttalam / Anuradhapura Road , the heighway Police is hiding behind tree and trying to spot the speeding vehicles , there was about 7 points within a space of 30 kilometres . Just a waste of time , send them to these areas, over to you IGP

keith wije Saturday, 14 April 2018 08:54 PM

Please do not act like previous government that did nothing for the British tourist murder and his girl friend was raped. These people and whoever do such things, whether victim is foreigner, or local, low must prevail.

maria Friday, 11 May 2018 09:45 PM

Today, many illegal surf bar, restaurant...are destroyed by the gouvernement

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Mirissa assaults: Four arrested

Comments - 45

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