Govt. takes serious note, authorities close Mirissa hotel

Sri Lanka's tourism authorities have ordered to close the establishment where the recent sexual and physical assault of tourists occurred on April 8 in Mirissa.
The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) has ordered the closure of the Water Creatures Guest Restaurant and Surf Bar where tourists were attacked by a group of beach boys, Tourism Development Minister John Amaratunga told the Business Times this evening (Tuesday).
He noted that the enforcement of the closure would be carried out by the police personnel. 
Earlier in the day, the minister requested the police to request the Special Task Force (STF) to be deployed along the beach from the police. A decision in this regard is yet to be take, the minister said.
Police Media Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara said this morning they had arrested six persons in connection with the incident that occurred on April 8 and who were produced before the Matara Magistrate. The suspects have been remanded till April 19. They are to be produced before an identification parade later.
In this respect, SP Gunasekara said that they have requested one of the tourists, a Hollander to return to the country to identify the suspects. His visit will be sponsored by the SLTDA.
Another incident that occurred in Midigama over an argument on a surfing incident with four Israeli nationals holidaying there at the time had also led to attacks that was complained to the police.
No arrests have been made in this respect but investigations were currently underway in this connection as well, SP Gunasekara said. (SD)