By Norman Palihawadana

Police are conducting investigations to find out whether those who attacked a group of Dutch tourists at Mirissa are supporters of a powerful politician, Minister of Law and Order, Ranjith Maddumabandara says.

On Thursday, nine suspects, arrested over the attack, were produced before the Matara Magistrate for an identification parade. They were re-remanded till May 3 due to the failure on the part of the witnesses to be present. “The suspects are being questioned and if they are henchmen of a politician, we will expose them,” Maddumabandara said.

Four persons, arrested in connection with an alleged attack on a group of Israeli tourists on the Meedigama- Weligama beach on April 15, were remanded by the Matara Magistrate till April 26, pending an identification parade. A senior police official told The Island that of the suspects in custody the first arrest had been made by the Weligama police on April 17. Three more persons, residents of Meedigama, Ahangama and Mirissa, aged 17, 18 and 23 had been arrested subsequently, police said,

“I held a discussion with those in charge of tourist police and I have instructed them to take steps to ensure that similar incidents won’t happen again,” he said.

Courtesy:The Island