Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Sri Lanka employs more English-speaking police as increasing amounts of tourists report being hassled

By Emily Payne
PUBLISHED: 15:27 GMT, 4 February 2013 | UPDATED: 15:27 GMT, 4 February 2013

With its idyllic beaches and fascinating culture, Sri Lanka has been tipped by travel experts as one of the hottest destinations for 2013.
However, the boom in tourism is coming at a cost, according to new reports. The Sri Lankan government is facing an increasing number of complaints from tourists over harassment and, as a result, they are recruiting more English-speaking policemen with computer literacy to the Tourist Police on the strength of it.
Sri Lanka's beaches, such as Arugam Bay are becoming increasingly popular with tourists
Hot spots: Sri Lanka's beach resorts, such as Arugam Bay, are becoming increasingly popular with tourists
Tourist Police Director, Maxi Proctor, said the cadre would be increased and more units set up in new tourist destinations.
Currently, there are only two Tourist Police units in Hikkaduwa and Negombo. A further two will be set up in Mount Lavinia and Arugam Bay later this month.
Plans are also being made to set up police units in areas where there are inland tourist attractions, Senior Superintendent Proctor said.
 
He added that the decision was taken after a meeting with Police Chief N.K. Illangakoon and tourism officials.
The Tourist Police officers will be given a uniform, a T-shirt similar to a coast-guard uniform but with the police crest on it. SSP Proctor said most of the complaints were made by European tourists.
'There are increasing complaints of harassment from beach boys, masseurs and groups in three-wheelers (vehicles),' he said.
The Sri Lankan government are to recruit more English speaking tourist police to cater for a growing amount of complaints
The Sri Lankan government is to recruit more English-speaking tourist police to cater for a growing amount of complaints from visitors to the island
British Airways launches a new route to Colombo in April and an increasing number of companies are advertising holidays to Sri Lanka's east coast - an area that was previously out of bounds due to the civil war.
Last Wednesday, Chillaw police arrested a 28-year-old man after he made unwanted advances towards a 25-year-old German tourist while she was sunbathing on the beach.
Sam Clark, Managing Director of Experience Travel Group, which specialises  in tailor-made holidays to Sri Lanka says: 'Sri Lanka is generally one of the world’s safest destinations - but tourists can find themselves being approached over-enthusiastically near busy resorts.
'We encourage our clients to travel as widely as possible in Sri Lanka as this is only really an issue in a handful of busy tourist hot spots.
'There are miles of empty sandy beaches just waiting to be discovered.'
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