Police vigilance to help maintain safety and security of tourists

On the instructions of the Inspector General of Police, 15 selected popular tourist destinations of the country will be under special care of the Tourist Police.

A meeting was held at the Tri Star Hotel Arugam Bay on Monday (18) to discuss the safety and security of the tourists visiting Arugam Bay and surrounding areas. SSP Ampara ASP Jayantha Ratnayake, OIC Pottuvil Police, Chairman Pottuvil Pradeshiya Sabha M.S.M. Wasith, President Chamber of Tourism and Industry A.M. Jaufer, hoteliers in the area, and officials of the Department of Coast Conservation were present at this meeting, which was organised by OIC Pottuvil Vasantha Kumara, assisted by the OIC Arugam Bay Police post.

The hoteliers emphasised that urgent action needed to be taken to provide more safety and security to tourists and create a conducive environment for tourists and residents of the area. They also suggested that the Police take strict action against people who consume liquor in public places and cause harassment to people including tourists. It was also brought to the notice of the Police that numbers of foreigners are engaged in businesses related to tourism having obtained tourist visas, which is against the law. Speaking on the occasion, Chamber of Tourism and Industry President A.M. Jaufer said that the coordination between Police, hoteliers and tourists was a very good move. “This will help to promote the industry while improving the economy of the people in the area. Police vigilance will help eradicate harassments to tourists as well as the locals,” he said.

He also said that the Police on duty at present were not enough to cover the area and that the police must be strengthened in order to conduct night and day patrols. He said that it was vital to have Police presence in Kudumbigala, Okanda, and such other potential areas. Steps taken on this matter will support development activities in the tourism area which in turn help the growth of the economy in these rural areas.

Attention was also focused on the need to regularise business establishments which are not formally registered according to laws of the country. This matter was raised by Jaufer.

SSP Ajith Rohana agreed to strengthen security measures in and around the areas concerned during day and night times and also to increase the number of officials deployed for that purpose. He also agreed to the request of the hoteliers to popularise Police emergency telephone numbers so that tourists and hoteliers can contact the Police when in need. He added that the Police Environment Unit would be strengthened to carry out the law against people are engaged in improper disposal of garbage in the area.