Friday Nov 15, 2024
Friday Nov 15, 2024
Tuesday, 23 April 2019 00:10 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Security officials check a bike at the Cinnamon Grand, Colombo – Pic by Krishan Ranasinghe
The Foreign Ministry yesterday said of the tourists who have been killed 31 have been identified but 14 foreign nationals remain unaccounted for while another 17 who were injured were still receiving treatment.
One national from Bangladesh, two from China, eight from India, one from France, one from Japan, one from The Netherlands, one from Portugal, two from Saudi Arabia, one from Spain, two from Turkey, six from the UK, two holding US and UK nationalities, and two holding Australian and Sri Lankan nationalities have been identified, according to the statement released by the Foreign Ministry.
Additionally, 14 foreign nationals are unaccounted for at present and could be among the unidentified victims at the Colombo Judicial Medical Officer’s mortuary. Seventeen foreign nationals injured in the attacks are receiving treatment at the Colombo National Hospital and a private hospital in Colombo while others have been treated and discharged.
“The Foreign Ministry continues to be in close contact with the relevant hospital authorities to identify the remaining victims. The Ministry will continue to monitor the welfare of the foreign nationals receiving treatment,” the statement added.
Meanwhile Tourism Development Minister John Amaratunga on Monday visited those injured in hospital and looked into their welfare and immediate requirements.
He also visited the three affected hotels – Shangri-La, The Kingsbury and Cinnamon Grand – and inspected the damage caused and discussed with the respective managements as to how these properties could be restored to their original condition and full operations resumed at the earliest.
“The Government has already offered assistance to all victims, the damaged places of worship as well as the hotels affected by Sunday’s attacks. We will make every possible effort to get back to normalcy and put tourism back on track following the setback suffered,” Minister Amaratunga said in a statement.
“I wish to assure the tourism industry that the Government has taken every possible measure to ensure the safety of the public and all tourists who are in the country. The three armed forces along with the police have put in place a comprehensive security plan covering hotels, resorts and places of tourist interest to ensure the safety of tourists,” he added.
In addition to these measures Sri Lanka Tourism has made special arrangements to assign a special representative to the hospitals where injured tourists are receiving treatment and the three hotels affected by the attacks. Three special representatives of Sri Lanka Tourism have also been stationed at the Bandaranaike International Airport to assist tourists both arriving and departing.
“My Ministry is working closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the local diplomatic offices in order to further ensure formalities with regard to the victims are sorted out as quickly as possible,” Amaratunga added.
He said the relevant authorities had made several arrests following the comprehensive investigation that was launched to identify and arrest those behind the attacks. They will continue to pursue the perpetrators and bring them before the full force of the law.
“It is vital at this point that the nation stands united and not be misled by unverified reports/information. We call upon all Sri Lankans to act in a responsible manner and assist the authorities to restore normalcy as fast as possible,” Tourism Minister Amaratunga emphasised.
