Tourist Police re-established
Dharma Sri Abeyratne
COLOMBO: The Tourist Police division was re-established yesterday.
The new Tourist Police Division will function under the theme 'Prevent,
Protect and Delight' .
It is a joint effort by the Sri Lanka Tourist Board, Tourism Ministry
and the Police Department.
The Tourist Police will have its head office at the premises of the
Sri Lanka Tourist Board. The Tourist Police Division was declared opened
by the Minister of Tourism Milinda Moragoda and Inspector General of
Police Victor Perera.
A network of tourist police stations or units will be established at
key tourist attractions to ensure that all tourists, both local and
foreign, are able to enjoy a hassle-free and enjoyable holiday. The
Tourist Police Division is headed by the Director of the Tourist Police
Division SSP Maxi Proctor under the supervision of a Deputy Inspector
General.
According to the police and tourist board sources, the Minister of
Tourism and the Minister of Defence decided that there was a need to
re-establish a strong tourist police division to handle problems related
to the tourism industry.
In addition, Minister Moragoda has responded to calls of the tourism
industry and the public on the need to ensure a good environment for
tourists to enjoy the hospitality and the nature, culture, adventure in
Sri Lanka. The objective is to take all steps to ensure Sri Lanka is
once again made a tourist friendly place. Further steps have taken to
minimise negatives that are faced by both local and foreign tourists,
the Minister said.
Moves are under way to increase tourist arrivals in future, SLTB
Chairman Renton de Alwis said. |