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Foreign alarm grows at attacks on female tourists
Reports of sexual harassment of Western female tourists continue to haunt the country with the latest being reported last week from Matara.
According to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) last year, almost 43 per cent of tourists were female.
In Polhena, Matara, a 22-year-old Briton lodged a complaint with local police stating that the guide she had trusted to take her on a coral reef exploration had molested her by touching her inappropriately.
This was a few weeks after the remanding of a former chairman of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha for sexually harassing a 22-year-old Swedish woman in Weligama.
Earlier this year, two police officers were arrested for sexually harassing a young female German tourist in Ella, Badulla.
A female university student from Australia, who was on an educational tour here lodged a complaint after she was allegedly raped by a tour guide in Ambalangoda.
Cases of sexual harassment of female tourists have raised concerns overseas, with travel advisories issued by the United States, United Kingdom and Australia highlighting the safety and security aspect of foreign females visiting the country
The US Department of State advisory states that reports of violent crime, sexual assaults and harassment directed at foreigners have been increasing in recent months.
“Western women continue to report incidents of verbal and physical harassment by groups of men. The harassment ranges from sexually suggestive or lewd comments to physical advances, and sexual assaults have occurred as well,” the advisory says.
The US also states that though most victims of sexual assault have been local residents, an upswing in sexual attacks against female visitors in tourist areas in the southern beaches underlines the fact that foreign women should exercise vigilance.
The State Department states the response time taken by local police to assist victims can vary from a few minutes to hours, even in the tourist areas, and particularly in remote areas.
A US travel advisory says police response to complaints is slow
Most of the tourists arriving in the country are from Western Europe. Last year 421,037 tourists arrived in the country from Western Europe, with the highest – 137,416 tourists – coming from the UK.
The UK echoed the same warning to her citizens with the latest addition on reports being spiked with drugs in bars and restaurants in southern beach resorts.
“Be careful about taking drinks from strangers at bars and restaurants, and don’t leave drinks unattended,” the warning issued in an updated travel advice issued by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office says.
“Women should take particular care when travelling alone or in small groups, and carry a personal alarm.”
The Australian Government has also warned its citizens. “There have been an increasing number of reports of sexual harassment in Sri Lanka, particularly in areas frequented by foreign tourists. This includes verbal harassment, physical advances and sexual assaults. Female tourists, particularly those travelling alone, should exercise vigilance and consider organising their travels through reputable travel companies,” the Australian travel advisory states.
According to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) last year almost 43 per cent of the tourists were female. Most tourists are aged between 30 and 49 years, and most state their profession as being executives. The SLTDA states that about 75 per cent of tourists arrive in the country for enjoyment/pleasure.
According to tourist police statistics, there were 90 complaints in 2012 and 82 in 2011.
“Unfortunately these incidents question whether the country is a safe place for women and whether it is supportive of male sexual violence. Impunity also has a negative image. Female tourists come here to relax and enjoy and not to be harassed,” said Savitri Goonesekere, Emeritus Professor of Law at the University of Colombo.
She said with regard to cases related to rape, harassment and molestation there is a need of introducing a fast-track court system.
“The laws are in place; however, there is a delay in implementation. There is also no effective response from police.
“Local politicians being sexual predators – this is becoming a grave issue. Political parties are reluctant in taking strict disciplinary measures against its members who have committed crimes such as rape. This will have quite an impact on female tourist arrivals,” said Prof. Goonesekere, who was a member of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women.
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