Tourism Minister calls for urgent policing of tourist areas

• Mounting complaints of harassment of tourists by touts
• Tourist areas infested with unauthorised tour guides
• Tourism Minister calls for urgent meeting with Police top brass
• 21 affected areas identified
• Safeguards to be implemented before tourist season kicks in

Minister of Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs John Amaratunga has written to Minister of Law and Order Sagala Ratnayake requesting an urgent meeting with the Police to address the mounting number of complaints of harassment of tourists.

“Officials of various associations and bodies involved in tourism development have brought to my attention the increasing trend of harassment of tourists and also many instances of physical harm caused to tourists. These acts are brazenly carried out by touts and unauthorised tour guides in the absence of a police presence,” stated Amaratunga in his letter to Ratnayake.

Amaratunga has noted that there is a proliferation of touts and unauthorized tour guides in the areas frequented by tourists which has become a menace to the tourist trade. The Minister has stated that immediate action is necessary on the part of the Police to address this issue and has called for a meeting with the DIGs and SSPs of the areas most affected.

The most affected areas have been identified as Mt. Lavinia, Wadduwa, Kalutara, Beruwala, Bentota, Ahungalla, Hikkaduwa, Galle, Unawatuna, Weligama, Mirissa, Polhena, Tangalle, Negombo, Hendala, Marawila, Arugam Bay, Nilaveli, Passikudah, Kandy and Sigiriya.

Amaratunga has requested the Law and Order Minister to bring this matter to the attention of the Inspector General of Police. He has requested a meeting with the IGP as soon as possible so as to have the necessary safeguards in place before the winter tourist season, which is the peak tourist season for Sri Lanka.