Twenty tourist police posts by year end: Minister

21 April 2018 09:12 pm - 11 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Minister of Law and Order Ranjith Madduma Bandara yesterday said that 20 Tourist Police Posts will be established within this year at identified tourist hotspots across the country to prevent the harassment of tourists.

A Dutchman and two women tourists were reported to have been brutally assaulted at Water Creatures Beach Guest Restaurant & Surf Bar’ in Mirissa on April 8 when resisting attempts of sexual harassment.

Addressing a press conference in Colombo, the minister said Rs.30 million has been allocated to strengthen the Tourist Police by the Government via Budget 2018. This, he said, was in addition to the Rs.50 million that had been allocated for the same in the 2017 Budget.

Minister Madduma Bandara said the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) will also offer support to make this a reality.

He said that 14 individuals had been arrested by the Police in connection with the assaults that took place in Midigama and Mirissa adding that the law will be strictly enforced and punishment meted out to anyone found guilty over the incident.

Meanwhile, Tourist Minister John Amaratunga said that after the proposed police posts are set up identified areas there would be regular beach patrols to curb harassment of tourists.

He said they would also seek Naval assistance in this regard to curb any illegal activities that occur at sea or on the sea shore.

Minister also informed the press that no embassy or foreign authority had contacted the ministry in relation to the attack in Mirissa so far. However, setting a bad precedent, he said several embassies had directly contacted several relevant bodies and inquired about the matter with guidelines on how to prevent such incidents from taking place in the future.

Minister Amaratunga said that embassies should have consulted the Tourism Ministry as a first priority. (Thilanka Kanakarathna)

Video by Indika Sri Aravinda, Buddhi

Pic by Lasantha Kumara

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Comments - 11

Titanic Sunday, 22 April 2018 06:54 AM

What stupid you wait till year end, already this tourist sector hhaving a negative impact by these beach boys and guide, please stop these guides and beach boys immediately otherwise we will not see a single tourist comming to this nation.

Mali Sunday, 22 April 2018 12:02 PM

This is the calibre in theimportant portfolios. Non availability of the leadership is a pathetic situation to a country. Must send from top to bottom to a basic leadership training course. Country is rapidly heading towards disaster.

Jagath Leanage Sunday, 22 April 2018 08:55 AM

Year end ? Isnt it too early ? Why dont you have them in another 20 years? 20 police stations නේ.

Ef Sunday, 22 April 2018 11:40 AM

Sri Lankan policy makers are so stupid they don't even undestand the damage word of mouth and the internet can play. By now those few people would have told thousands. Its already too late

Warren Raed Sunday, 22 April 2018 03:38 PM

Why wait till the year end? Are you waiting for more incidents? Usually, that is the behaviour of third world country police, legal system and politicians. That is why 3rd world countries are always 3rd world countries.

Palugaswewa Sunday, 22 April 2018 05:52 PM

This action would have taken at least 20 years ago. Since then there had been several ministers and no one ever bothered to inquire into the various type of harassments the tourists were subjected to.If they had got the hoteliers, guides tourist agents drivers, the Ministers could have found the problems and easy solutions. It is very sorry to see that the tourists are being haressed even by the Government at places with regard to issuing of tickets, very high charges but no proper, adequate facilities provided for them etc. This is the outcome when uneducted people are appointed to reputed and responsible posts.This applies to the govt.posts from top to bottom.

chandra Sunday, 22 April 2018 05:56 PM

Take strong legal action with immediate effect and give punishment quickly. Amend the Law. Not only foreigners but also Sri lankan were harassed in Sri Lanka by Thugs, Beach Boys, Wanachara People.

Kanthi Sunday, 22 April 2018 06:05 PM

We hail the excellent and the quick decision made by you the Hon.Minister. Very efficient in discharging your duties in time and we appreciate it. Why are you in a hurry to establish this police posts by the end of this year.You both can wait for another year or two for that.

Buddhist Sunday, 22 April 2018 06:11 PM

What about the Kamba Horu?

Ash Sunday, 22 April 2018 08:09 PM

These incompetent ministers should first be thrown out. Common sense. Will you go or take your family for holidays to a country that has military supervised tourism. Pathetic Lanka.

Shelly Sunday, 22 April 2018 08:33 PM

Look at him , is he fit to be the minister of law and order.

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Twenty tourist police posts by year end: Minister

Comments - 11

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