Tourism, law enforcement authorities handling incident well: Dr. Godahewa

• Special communiqué listing actions taken issued to travel and hotel trade as a confidence building measure
• Working closely with the defence authorities to ensure greater protection for tourists in possible vulnerable areas

Both tourism and law enforcement authorities have thus far successfully handled the unfortunate gruesome attack on a tourist couple in Tangalle over the weekend, Tourism Chief Dr. Nalaka Godahewa said yesterday.

“I would say we have handled the situation well after the very unfortunate incident which all have vehemently condemned,” Sri Lanka Tourism Chairman told the Daily FT. He said that Sri Lankan envoys in both UK and Russia who are currently in the country as well as the British High Commission and the Russian Embassy have been involved in the process in addition to contact with the respective families of the victims.

An alleged argument leading to a fracas saw the murder of a 27-year-old British holidaymaker Kuram Shaikah Zaman and head injuries to his partner, a 24-year-old Russian lady Victoria Alexandrovna, at a Ceylon Tourist Board registered guesthouse Natures Resort in Tangalle on Saturday.

Godahewa said that the British High Commission was awaiting a confirmation from the deceased family to airlift the body back home whilst the injured lady after initial surgery at Karapitiya Hospital has been admitted to Lanka Hospitals yesterday.

As she is a key witness, maximum security has been provided as well.

The main suspect in the deadly incident, Tangalle Pradesheeya Sabha Chairman Sampath Vidanapathirana, surrendered to Police on Monday night after absconding, whilst on Sunday three others surrendered as well.

Godahewa said that he and his team were in Tangalle soon after the incident whilst the Defence Ministry and senior brass of the Police were also involved in apprehending the suspects.

“It was made clear that irrespective of political affiliations suspects have to be nabbed and this was done. Stern action as per legal system will be ensured,” the Tourism Chief added.

He said that the industry and Police were scheduled to have a fresh round of discussions to further improve security and care for tourists.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Tourism yesterday issued a special communiqué to all travel and hotel trade explaining the status quo as well as the progress made with regard to the incident. 

As per the copy obtained by the Daily FT from a travel trade source, the communiqué has endeavoured to give assurances as well as confidence for the industry as well as visiting tourists since at present it is the busy winter season. Recently the country warmly welcomed the 800,000th tourist for the year, which is a record.

The communiqué stated that Sri Lanka Tourism Authority wishes to inform the tourism industry and general public that all steps have been taken to coordinate and assist in matters with regard to the unfortunate incident which took place in Tangalle recently, causing the death of a tourist and an injury to his partner.

Immediately upon hearing about the incident which resulted in the death of British national Kuram Shaikh Zaman and injury to the Russian female Victoria Alexandrovna, two teams were dispatched to the area by the authority, while the Chairman, the Director General and two other officers led the team that visited Karapitiya Hospital where the lady was receiving treatment.

The teams were constantly in touch with the External Affairs Ministry, the two Embassies and the Defence Ministry as well as the media. In consultation with the Defence Secretary, it was decided to transfer the lady to Lanka Hospitals, Colombo, and offer her the best of medical attention.

Accordingly, Alexandrovna was brought to Lanka Hospitals last morning for further treatment. Both the Russian Ambassador and Sri Lankan Ambassador in Moscow (who is currently in Sri Lanka) have seen the patient, who is recovering fast.

The team sent to Tangalle has cleared all matters with regard to the deceased and has coordinated with the Police and the High Commission to attend to procedural steps. The body of the deceased has already been brought to Colombo and the British High Commission is awaiting instructions with regard to transportation of the remains to England.

The SLTDA has been assured of highest priority by defence authorities to apprehend the suspects, swift and impartial investigation which has already resulted in a few suspects being taken into custody yesterday.

The communiqué noted that such incidents, though unfortunate, have happened in other tourist destinations in the past and can happen anywhere in the world. It added that this would by no means overshadow the warmth that is offered to tourists by our hospitable people and professional and responsible service offered by the tourism industry. The communiqué strongly condemned what took place in Tangalle and expressed its condolence to the family of the victim.

“Sri Lanka Tourism wishes to convey this message while not only continuing with rest of the work concerning the incident but also looking forward to the series of steps being discussed at present for immediate implementation to prevent occurrence of any undesirable incident involving tourists coming into the country in future. We hope to work closely with the defence authorities to ensure greater protection to tourists in possible vulnerable areas,” it stated.

“At the same time we request media and all concerned to work together to educate the general public on the importance of taking care of the tourists who visit Sri Lanka, a country which is internationally recognised for being hospitable to visitors for over 2,000 years until now,” the communiqué concluded.