Tourism Minister Ranatunga asks IGP to ensure safety of tourists

Sri Lankan Minister of Tourism, Prasanna Ranatunga, on Monday, requested the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to ensure the safety of foreign tourists in Sri Lanka.

The Minister has written to the IGP, asking the latter to take immediate action against anyone harassing or inconveniencing tourists visiting the country.

Referring to media posts about tourists facing harassment, Minister Ranatunga has said that such incidents harm tourism at a time when tourist arrivals are picking up again.

“We must ensure the safety of all tourists by taking immediate action against anyone harassing them,” the Minister said in his letter.

The Tourism Development Authority,

on Monday, said 175,909 tourists have arrived from 01 January to 27 February this year.

28,392 tourists have arrived from Russia, 24,141 from India, 17,749 from the UK 13,039 from Ukraine and 12,779 from Germany.