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by our Trincomalee correspondent

A series of environmental and humanitarian problems and disputes have now emerged in Trincomalee with the arrival of thousands of local tourists to tourist attractions such as Nilaweli and Pigeon Island following the peace process.

The coral reefs on Pigeon Island faces serious threats as thousands of tourists who visit this island over during long weekends try to remove the corals for souvenirs.

The Kuchchuveli Police handling security in the area during the long weekend detected eight local youth from the Anuradhapura area who were removing corals on Pigeon Island.

OIC of the Kuchchuweli Police IP T. Ludowyke who was in civvies on Pigeon Island was compelled to arrest them as they defied police orders.

These youth were produced before the Trincomalee Magistrates Court and released on personnel bail. They were further ordered to be present before the Court today (April 5).

The Police also detected four overloaded boats transporting tourists from Nilaweli to Pigeon Island over the weekend and they were also produced before the Trincomalee Magistrates court and fined Rs. 500 each.

The local and foreign tourists are faced with a life threat when travelling to Pigeon Island, three kilo metres by the sea as there are no life guards deployed in the area. The Navy is also not operating in the area to rescue people in danger.

According to Kuchchuveli OIC, they are also facing problems with the limited number of personnel in the Police in providing security for these tourists as theses places are 17 Kilometres away from their Police station.

Kuchchaveli Police also had to ban the parking of vehicles in privately owned coconut plantations on the road stretch from Trincomalee to Nilaweli following complaints from the owners.

Thousands of local tourists arriving in Trincomalee and Nilaweli are using these coconut lands to park their vehicles and cook their meals. These residents have complained to the Police as has become a nuisance for them.

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