STF deployed in Mirissa to ensure tourists' safety: IGP

20 April 2018 07:50 pm - 26 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Police Chief Pujith Jayasundara today said the Police Special Task Force (STF) had been deployed in Mirissa to ensure the safety of tourists following the unpleasant incident in which several Dutch tourists were assaulted by locals.

Addressing a press briefing the IGP said that this would be a temporary measure to stabilize the law and order situation in the area until the unrest created by the recent incidents subsided.

He said that an eye-witness had informed them that he would not attend the identification parade that had been arranged by the Matara Court.

IGP Jayasundara explained that though identification parade was not considered essential if it could be held it would make getting a conviction easier.

He also said that he was satisfied with the action taken by the police so far over the Mirissa incident.

He also requested the victims and the eye-witnesses to support their investigations.

During the press briefing Weligama Urban Council Chairman Rehan Jayawickreme praised the Daily Mirror Newspaper for exposing the incident involving the Dutch tourists.

He explained that although the incident was an isolated one, due to the media exposure law enforcement authorities were able to nab the responsible parties.

“What I suggest is that we should look at this as an isolated incident but also take this as an opportunity to regulate the rest of the hotels in Mirissa.

“I’m making a sincere request to all media, if you hear of things like this, the same way the Daily Mirror exposed this story, please inform us,” he added.

He also assured the fullest cooperation of their Urban Council to stop such tragic incidents from happening in the future.

Mr. Jayawickreme, also accused the Police of not informing the local government bodies in the area of what had taken place.

The Controversial ‘Water Creatures Beach Guest Restaurant & Surf Bar’ in Mirissa, where a group of Dutch tourists were subjected to a brutal attack has been temporarily closed down following an order of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) on Tuesday (17).

The SLTDA said that the owner of the hotel, Harsha Prasanna, in a letter agreed to adhere to the SLTDA order. (Thilanka Kanakarathna)

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Comments - 26

VJ Friday, 20 April 2018 07:59 PM

Are they planning some kind of a massacre?

Dee Friday, 20 April 2018 08:55 PM

Who? The deep southern dudes? Quite possible.

Asanka Saturday, 21 April 2018 07:47 AM

Yes massacre or castrate all beach thugs along the coastal belt, From Aluthgama to Thangalla, if Sri Lanka need to developed as a worlds popular holiday destination and i really mean it. These thus are really menace to the industry and the reputation of the country, and i and my clients have first hand experiences with them as a tour operator.

Gemba's Grandma Friday, 20 April 2018 08:11 PM

I think these bums should be castrated. We have to many people in this country.

Dee Friday, 20 April 2018 08:14 PM

Tourists should be educated of the dangers of patronising unauthorized places. For instance, tourists in Colombo feel hotel taxi is expensive and they take tuk. They get fleeced and end up paying more than 50/- per km and suffer in silence because of shame. Same way they go on the net and fix cheap rooms and get fleeced.

Cobra Saturday, 21 April 2018 06:29 AM

Nothing to educate the tourists, they know the risks because all countries they visit have the same rabid dogs trying to fleece them at every turn!

Jaffna Logic Friday, 20 April 2018 08:25 PM

Mr IGP, you don’t need the STF deployment, just ordinary Police would do as long as the Police are not receiving bribes from club owners and are in regular foot and mobile patrol in the area. Yes,identification parades would speed up convictions but in the present witness intimidation atmosphere it would be ideal if the police could manipulate the suspects and turn at least one of them into a state witness.Outside the formal legal process the Police should know by now the identities of the thugs in the area and they must be constantly put under pressure by police overt surveillance .

Ravi Saturday, 21 April 2018 11:40 AM

Well said

Summa Friday, 20 April 2018 08:59 PM

BRAVO!! But does this show the Police in that area does only polishing (we all know who)

S.P.RAMKUMAR Friday, 20 April 2018 09:22 PM

Why did not police arrest owner of this hotel, His hotel and he, his at the time managers and hotel staffs who involve in this thuggery must be black listed for sometimes. Why should SLTDA expecting owner of the hotel acceptance. Is he a mammal of political sea. bloody shame

Dee Friday, 20 April 2018 09:31 PM

So the owner just agree to 'adhear' to SLTDA order? That's it. Who is he? What are his roots? Should we say more?

Warren Raed Sunday, 22 April 2018 03:48 PM

The owner must be either a politician or a top brass police officer.

sunil vijaya Saturday, 21 April 2018 02:18 AM

why an ID parade? use video evidence. always react no proper proaction. thanks to daily mirror this was exposed. no tourist will come to face a corrupt judiciary. incarcerate the culprits without a lenghy court procedure.

Upul Saturday, 21 April 2018 02:59 AM

It is a little too late, the damage has already been done. Police force should be proactive not reactive.

BV Saturday, 21 April 2018 09:02 PM

But our Police are world champions in closing the stable after the horses bolt off.

Ram Saturday, 21 April 2018 03:09 AM

Check all the Club Licenses and have the unlicensed places closed. Issue directions to have CCTV settings as required by Licensing Authority within 3 months and make the CCTV a pre-requisite for all club licenses all island. This will curb the drug sale too within these premises.

Haramanis Saturday, 21 April 2018 03:21 AM

Very good move IGP. Next action should be to take these ruffians out in the beach to recreate the incident and then shoot them when they try to escape. A few like that and the situation will be under control for a long time

Warren Raed Saturday, 21 April 2018 06:24 AM

So, until the media exposes issues, the police is not capable of doing its job? What a joke?

Cobra Saturday, 21 April 2018 06:25 AM

Closing the stable doors after the horses (In this case velociraptors) have fled?

Buddhist Saturday, 21 April 2018 08:14 AM

Is Pujitha a TUBE LIGHT, he fires up only after the damage is done? We see the same in all the large scale investigations as well.

Warren Raed Sunday, 22 April 2018 08:46 AM

All who are ruling the country are tube lights.

gajaman Saturday, 21 April 2018 08:23 AM

Only in Sri Lanka you need the special forces to protect tourists...great job Tourism Board...King of Sri Lanka changing the name to Silly Lanka..land like no other

Ceylon Saturday, 21 April 2018 08:28 AM

Crimials do crimes whereever they are.solution is remove criminals to jails.

kumar Saturday, 21 April 2018 12:17 PM

It's just a show-up. Always using STF. The area Police can do this job easily.

mohamed Sunday, 22 April 2018 12:57 PM

the STF could not control Digana incident at alli dont think they can do much in Mirissa too

Warren Raed Sunday, 22 April 2018 03:51 PM

I am told that most resorts and hotels now in Sri Lanka are owned by the top brass in the police and politicians who have close illegal deals with crooks. SO, this matter will be swept under that carpet soon. The present IGP has not done anything useful during his tenure. He is just my3s puppet living from our taxes.

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STF deployed in Mirissa to ensure tourists' safety: IGP

Comments - 26

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