Sri Lanka to open 22 new Tourist Police stations using containers for tourists’ safety

March, 28, 2019

Sri Lanka's Tourist Police Division of the Department of Police has decided to open 22 more police units throughout the island to ensure the safety of the tourists arriving in Sri Lanka and the pilot project has begun from Mirissa. According to reports already eleven tourist police units have been established around the country and another 22 units will be established island wide to ensure the safety of both local and foreign tourists.

 

Reports said that due to non-availability of lands the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) is planning to set up the police units using containers in a small area of land. Accordingly four containers will be used for each unit. All the facilities required by the Police including the OIC Office, accommodation and sanitary facilities will be included in this unit. Setting up of one unit with furniture and accessories will cost Rs. 5 million. The first such pilot unit was opened at Mirissa on 22 March under the patronage of John Amaratunga, Minister of Tourism Development, Wildlife and Christian Affairs, Sagala Ratnayake, Minister of Ports, Naval Affairs and Southern Development, Inspector General of Police Pujitha Jayasundera, and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Chairman Kishu Gomes.