Two ministers: Accusations fly over Mirissa tourism fracas

Sri Lanka’s Tourism Development Minister John Amaratunga on Thursday raised concerns of interference in the implementation of the law by the relevant authorities in the removal of unauthorised constructions as in the case of the Mirissa Surf Bar.
Addressing a media briefing at the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (SLITHM) auditorium in Colombo, he noted, "We are doing this in the interest of the tourism industry. If information goes out that Sri Lanka is unsafe then all will lose."
Provincial Councils Minister Faizer Mustapha is alleged to have urged the authorities not to remove these unauthorised constructions.
Minister Amaratunga observed that it was only the President under whose purview the Coast Conservation Department comes under that could stop the authorities from carrying out their work.
However, he pointed out that the President was unlikely to make such a move and stop the eviction and removal of unauthorised constructions by the relevant authorities.
The Coast Conservation Department submitting their report following the attack on tourists at a Mirissa restaurant and Surf Bar noted that if anyone is found violating the law there would be evicted or structures demolished.
The Tourism Ministry, the minister said had asked the relevant authorities to look into the situation in Mirissa due to the unruly conditions prevalent there. (SD)