Police say both plainclothes and uniformed officers have been deployed to major tourist destinations following two recent reports of harassment involving foreign women.
Police spokesperson and Assistant Superintendent of Police F.U. Wootler stated that plainclothes officers are already patrolling several tourist hotspots, while uniformed officers from the Tourist Police Unit have also been stationed in these areas.
He added that police checkpoints across most tourist zones operate 24 hours a day, allowing tourists to file complaints at any time.
“There are plainclothes police officers and uniformed officers on duty at most of these locations. We believe there will be no issue as anyone attempting to harass someone will be immediately arrested and produced before court. If anyone wishes to lodge a complaint, they can go directly to the nearest Tourist Police checkpoint,” he said.
Police are currently investigating two incidents that have drawn international attention.
The first investigation was launched after a video showing a man sexually harassing a foreign woman began circulating on social media. The Police Tourism Division, together with the Thirukkovi Police, arrested a 25-year-old suspect from Kaluwanchikudi Ellai Street in the Periyanilawanai Police Division on November 16. The incident is believed to have taken place on October 25.
A few days after the first arrest, another case involving the harassment of a foreign woman was reported in Kandy. A 32-year-old man was arrested by the Kandy Tourism Police for allegedly sexually harassing a foreign woman in the Paragahadeniya area under the Mawathagama Police Division.
