Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) has ordered to temporarily close the Mirissa Tourist restaurant which was involved in assaulting a tourist couple.
Six suspects were arrested and remanded until April 19, in connection with the recent assault on a group of Dutch tourists in Mirissa, police spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara said.
It has been reported that four tourists including a Dutch male and two women were assaulted at a Surf Bar in Mirissa beach on 8th April when they resisted the suspects attempting to sexually harass the women.
It was reported that a female tourist had been harassed and several other tourists were assaulted at in Mirissa.
Making a strong statement, Minister of Tourism John Amaratunga promised stern action against the Surf Bar if found guilty. Earlier, the SLTDA said that the Surf Bar was not registered with them and was therefore run illegally.
Meanwhile, Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) President Sanath Ukwatta during a media briefing held yesterday (18) alleged the tourist assaults are backed by certain politicians.
Many visitors to the southern beaches in the area say sexual harassment of female tourists by the beach boys is rampant.
