22 more Tourist Police Units to be set up

To ensure the safety of the tourists 22 more Tourist Police Units are to be established countrywide with a pilot project launched at Mirissa last week. 

The Police Tourist Division inaugurated in 2007 takes maximum efforts to provide efficient service on tourist complaints and to minimise irregularities related to tourism. Currently, there are 11 tourist police units in the country and another 22 new Tourist Police Units will be established island wide to ensure the safety of both local and foreign tourists in Sri Lanka. 

However, finding land for the formation of these units have been challenging and as a solution Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority is planning to set up the police units using containers in a small area of land. Four containers will be used for each unit with all the facilities required by the Police including the OIC Office, accommodation and sanitary facilities. 

Setting up of one unit with furniture and accessories cost about Rs. 5 million and the pilot unit was opened at Mirissa last week under the patronage of Minister of Tourism Development, Wildlife and Christian Affairs John Amaratunga, Minister of Ports, Naval Affairs and Southern Development Sagala Ratnayake and Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Chairman Kishu Gomes.