Govt. suspects organised attacks on tourists

Sri Lankan government believes there are “unseen hands” linked politically in carrying out orchestrated attacks on tourists like the recent physical and sexual attack in Mirissa.
Tourism Development Minister John Amaratunga told Times Online today (Monday) that following the Mirissa incident where a number of tourists were attacked physically and sexually, the police have already arrested about six persons in this connection.
He noted that he believes “there is a political hand and unseen hand involved in the escalation of violence” which authorities were currently investigating.
In Mirissa itself there were two incidents that had occurred during the last couple of days, the minister said attributing it to “some organized violence.”
One of the measures adopted to contain the situation; Minister Amaratunga pointed out would be to “throw out the beach boys” as these persons would carry out such attacks if paid to do so.
In March this year violence broke out in Kandy which authorities also believed to have been organized by politically affiliated groups inciting ethnic violence. (SD)