Witness absent; identification parade for assault on Dutch tourists put off

• 13 suspects in remand custody linked to Mirissa and Midigama incidents where tourists were assaulted by local beach boys

The Police’s Media Unit said yesterday the identification parade of the nine suspects linked to the assault and alleged sexual harassment of four young Dutch tourists by local ‘beach boys’ at the pub of a surf club in the tourist hotspot of Mirissa has been postponed to 3 May as the witness had failed to turn up in courts.

Weligama Police arrested six suspects on 13 April in connection with the assault and alleged sexual harassment of four young Dutch tourists, while another three persons were arrested on 17 April linked to the same incident.

In addition, four suspects connectedto the assault of four Israeli nationals on 15 April at Midigama beach were arrested by the Weligama Police. The first suspect was arrested on 17 April, while the other three were arrested on Wednesday (18). The four suspects in remand custody will also be produced at an identification parade on 26 April at the Matara Magistrate’s Courts.

The Police Media Unit said a total of 13 suspects linked to the Mirissa and Midigama incidents are in remand custody where tourists were assaulted by local beach boys.

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) ordered the closure of the restaurant and beach bar in Mirissa in question, where several Dutch nationals were assaulted and allegedly sexually harassed. It was revealed that the restaurant was operating the bar without a licence.

Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) President Sanath Ukwatte claimed the beach boys were part of a huge “mafia” in the south coast which was backed by local politicians.

Police had identified 20 highly touristic areas, including Mirissa, in which to establish Tourist Police Units, with at least 15 officers assigned to each unit. (CdS)