Tracking down tourists a safety measure-SL

18 April 2013 01:51 pm - 8 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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A police directive to track down foreign tourists and long-time overseas residents in Sri Lanka is a security measure, the government said today.

"In the guise of tourists, there are certain elements which are adverse to the country. That is why we need to keep a track of them," Keheliya Rambukwella, minister of information and government spokesman told reporters.

Last week, the police headquarters had told local police stations to gather information on tourists lodged at hotels and guest houses within the respective police areas.

The police said the measure was taken for the safety of tourists.

A British tourist was killed in an attack at a southern tourist resort in December 2011.

The British Foreign Office travel advisory noted violent crime against foreigners is "infrequent" in Sri Lanka but states an "increasing number of reports of sexual offences, including against minors".

The government has lodged its protest against the British travel advisory saying Sri Lanka saw the arrival of over a million tourists in 2012.(PTI)

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Comments - 8

Siva Thursday, 18 April 2013 02:19 PM

Tag them electronically.That will be even better!!!

Zapped Thursday, 18 April 2013 02:59 PM

Take pics of their tattoos on arrival. Makes as much sense as tagging them.

John Thursday, 18 April 2013 03:00 PM

Make sure you don't trip over balconies when you go as a tourist next time......

Pluto Thursday, 18 April 2013 03:13 PM

You should inform the tourist that they are being tracked on arrival. No one like to be tracked. It is a violation of fundamental rights.

ranil Thursday, 18 April 2013 03:14 PM

please request the touriest to sign every day morning in the local police station .if needed twice per day ,once walk up and befere sleep

RamUk Thursday, 18 April 2013 03:36 PM

A British tourist was killed due to local politician why not tag them first. Also why you tag the pay masters?

Amschel Thursday, 18 April 2013 03:54 PM

Sure, make them feel monitored and spied out and the numbers of Tourists will come down to a few hundred. In no other country these things are happening so there is another agenda. These measures will be understood and adverse action will follow definitely

deshadrohi Thursday, 18 April 2013 03:52 PM

the problem is, you can't expect all tourists to follow SL legal codes 100%.. things that tourist are doing sometimes are in legal gray area or simply illegal according to law.. (drugs, prostitutes etc).. but hardly ever authorities take legal steps against them because they are foreigners and actually those "illegal" acts are mostly harmless...those tourists also know that... but after this tracking system implied, they may feel they were monitored all the time and may feel uncomfortable... that would surely affect badly far tourist industry...

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Tracking down tourists a safety measure-SL

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