British tourist flees hotel after false theft complaint

28 March 2024 05:51 pm - 24 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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By Shane Seneviratne

Alawathugoda, March 28 (Daily Mirror) - A British tourist, who allegedly made a false complaint about cash and belongings being stolen, is said to have fled from the hotel upon realizing that the police suspected the authenticity of the complaint.

The tourist, staying at a hotel in Rittandeniya, Alawathugoda reported to the Alawathugoda police that Rs. 477,884 in cash, two wrist watches and two cameras were stolen while he was dining on Wednesday night (27).

He claimed that the thief had broken the door lock to gain entry.

Upon investigation, the police discovered that the door lock was actually broken from the inside using a bottle opener. When the tourist insisted on filing a police report to claim insurance before a thorough investigation, police became suspicious of the complaint's credibility and pointed out the door lock's tampering.

However, the tourist fled from the hotel while investigations were ongoing.

The Alawathugoda police is continuing with the investigations.

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Comments - 24

M Fernando Thursday, 28 March 2024 06:01 PM

How dare you question the integrity and behaviour of the British citizen ? I know there is at least one other commentator here who will agree with me , right Jeanne ? :-)

navratne willamune Friday, 29 March 2024 08:17 AM

Some tourist try to escape not paying the bills, this has happened several times.Especially solo travelers.there are crooks among western travellers

European Thursday, 28 March 2024 06:51 PM

Knowing the crooked local justice system, the tourists may have suspected he may have invited untoward trouble on himself and left the scene for his own safety coping the loses of stolen items.

Jayantha Thursday, 28 March 2024 07:36 PM

Inform the immigration and tough action should be taken against such acts.

A Thursday, 28 March 2024 08:02 PM

British Gov advising Citizens to be careful travelling to SL. I think SL should tell people to becarefull of these Jokers.

Boru Sancharakaya Thursday, 28 March 2024 09:34 PM

This is a very common practice with British

Ranga Thursday, 28 March 2024 09:44 PM

lol

Ama Thursday, 28 March 2024 11:24 PM

Recently BRITISH PARLIMENT refused to revise the travel advisory of Sri Lanka. Perhaps they may know the quality of their own people.

Patcitz Friday, 29 March 2024 12:01 AM

Britons are ever worst people, so never allow even if Charles intends to visit Sri Lanka. Ban Britons entering Sri Lanka. Britons are regarded the world's worst people on earth. They are ROBBERS and THEIVES.

Shera Friday, 29 March 2024 01:11 AM

Possibly done for a travel insurance claim.

Ram Friday, 29 March 2024 04:46 AM

The tourist can be nabbed at BIA when he is leaving if proper steps are taken

Mizaru Friday, 29 March 2024 05:34 AM

First , two British tourist are nabbed by the railway security to travelling first class using third class tickets. It was reported in the mainstream media that they were manhandled and offloaded at Nawalapity station by the railway authorities. Now this. Sri Lanka is getting donkey bed tourist and the OL passed minister bragges about it. A good number of these tourist are engaged in business in the south.

Dee Friday, 29 March 2024 06:29 AM

He should practice more about staged robberies. Should watch more crime movies!

wickrama wijayasiri Friday, 29 March 2024 07:47 AM

Just because British, they are not saints! They stole from Ceylon since 1815!

KoffieMoffie Friday, 29 March 2024 08:09 AM

Must have been an attractive insurance policy.

IGNATIUS Friday, 29 March 2024 08:48 AM

PENNY PUSHING TOURIST.

Gabriella Friday, 29 March 2024 08:49 AM

Just a normal travel insurance scam. Travel insurance is so exorbitant that people feel justified in trying to “rip-off” insurance companies.

Terrence K Friday, 29 March 2024 09:43 AM

@M fernando - you don't have to get Jeanne to endorse what has not been done by a British citizen as she is impartial. Why should one flee when he has made a complaint to the Police? Once a complaint is made to the Police, it has to be investigated and quick rocovery of the items. On the other hand if the british citizen is trying to capitalize on the delayed process of law enforcement he could use this in initiating an insurance claim. Nevertheless, let the ongoing investigations continue which will be beneficial to the tourist and to the country as a whole who at present have opened the door tourists.

One more number in the tourist data! Friday, 29 March 2024 10:15 AM

Did this tourist pay his hotel bill before fleeing?

Seqi Friday, 29 March 2024 12:02 PM

Insurance wheeze. The British tourists are famous for covering holiday expenses with appropriate insurance claims especially in the colony countries.

Jamis Friday, 29 March 2024 04:23 PM

Glad the Police acted this way. Our people have a habit of bending down towards Westerners, especially the British and the Americans. I guess it is the colonial legacy. Even the ordinary people in SL seem to have a major desire to 'please' Western people. It is embarrassing.

tourist numbers don't matter in the long run Friday, 29 March 2024 05:58 PM

They are British back packers who come here on a low string budget hoping that they can manage to survive here with the meagre savings they bring into this country . It is very important to know what sort of foreign tourists visit this country and how much money they bring into the country. As such tourist numbers just don't matter. It is the tourist dollars that count

Alan Griffin Friday, 29 March 2024 07:25 PM

Clearly a potential fraudulent claim filed with insurance company on the return to England was the plan, thus costing other tourist higher insurance costs. Hope he gets stopped at immigration counter and processed through Courts and receives a custodial sentence in proportion to the Police Sergeant who received 4 years for only a Rs 500 bribe?

Edie Saturday, 30 March 2024 05:17 AM

This could be a stunning false alarm. These guys are trying to make money from the hotel plus with the UK insurance companies.

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British tourist flees hotel after false theft complaint

Comments - 24

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