By
Camelia Nathaniel and Priyan de Silva
The recent incidents that took place in Mirissa where a group of Dutch tourists were assaulted and sexually harassed and another group of Israeli tourists were assaulted at the Midigama beach have brought to light the issues facing the tourism industry. Despite the government efforts to promote tourism as a key source of revenue to the country, the question arises as to whether we are heading in the right direction to market Sri Lanka as a safe tourist destination.
The Mirissa incident is not the first, while previously a British tourist Khuram Shaikh was stabbed and then shot to death and his Russian girlfriend raped at a tourist resort in Tangalle on Christmas Day in 2011. Seven years later such incidents are still happening. Hence, how safe are Sri Lanka’s beaches and tourist resorts for tourists?
Many in the tourist industry down south allege that the beach boys are the main cause of such incidents. The Dutch tourists too were recently said to have been attacked brutally by these beach boys, who seem to be under the influence of liquor and drugs. According to the Minister of Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs, John Amaratunga, the main problem for such incidents is that there are many unlicensed bars and illegal liquor and drugs that are being distributed in the area. He said the Excise Department should be held responsible for not having taken measures to raid such illegal establishments and maintain proper standards.
However, according to Weligama Urban Council Chairman Rehan Wijeratne Jayawickrama, this is an isolated incident and it does not suggest that the Mirissa beaches are unsafe for tourists. “These sort of incidents do not occur frequently. An action was taken within 48 hours to address the problem. We intend to organise awareness programmes in collaboration with NGOs and the tourism ministry to educate these beach boys on the importance of respecting women and on their behaviour and approach.”
He also blamed the police for failing to notify the LG authorities about the incident, of which they knew only through media reports.
Speaking to the Daily News about the issues facing the tourist hotels and operators in the country, the owner of Calamander Unawatuna Beach Paloma Scott said she too has a business in Unawatuna with the same type of setting up as Mirissa with bars restaurants etc. But she said in Unawatuna there isn’t much of a problem with beach boys as in Mirissa. But, she noted that generally, it is the attitude of the locals towards foreign women is where the problem lies.
Minister Amaratunga said he intends to request for the assistance of the Navy to further fortify security on the beaches of the country. The government has also allocated Rs. 30 million to establish police posts at 20 identified tourist hotspots in order to provide better security for tourists visiting the country. This measure was taken in the wake of the recent incidents that were reported in Mirissa recently, where a group of Dutch tourists were assaulted, said Law and Order Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara.
The Minister said in areas where issues have arisen, measures will be taken to by the police to increase security measures and the tourist police will be further strengthened to handle these issues and make Sri Lanka’s tourist destinations safer for tourists. “The Law and Order Ministry and the Tourism Ministry require the cooperation of the public in this regard to notifying us when and if such incidents occur. We need to prevent such incidents from taking place in the future.”
However, according to Paloma Scott, increasing the police presence in these tourist hotspots, is just part of the solution. “I myself have become friends with the Habaraduwa Police and there are two policemen who patrol the area in the morning and evening and I think even the presence of uniformed officers does have a deterrent effect as it has certainly seen a reduction of the number of beach boys in my area. I think I have fewer beach boys in my area of the beach as a result of constant police patrols.”
However, she noted that the key thing is the attitude of men, especially beach boys and tuk-tuk drivers and Sri Lankan men in general. “They don’t accord the same respect to a foreign woman as they would to a Sri Lankan female. As a foreign woman, I too sense that they treat me differently. I am looked at differently and I am not given that same respect and they always feel that they can push boundaries,” she lamented.
Are foreign women attracted to local men?
“Foreign women are attracted to local men to fulfil their sexual fantasies,” said Asanka Kaluarachchi, owner of the Mirissa Beach Wadiya, referring to local males seen on the Mirissa beach sported long hair and tattoos.
“The relationships only last a few days and unfortunate incidents like the recent incident result when females make wrong signals,” he added. According to Kaluarachchi, with the authorities permitting beach parties, Mirissa is losing its attraction as a tranquil tourist destination where a family could while away the days in peace and quiet. “The number of families visiting Mirissa is on the decline while the numbers of young people both local and foreign are on the increase. All most all of them are on to drugs and pills. It is a known fact that almost every type of narcotic is available in Mirissa,” he added.
Ananda Jayadewa who has been in the hotel trade for the past 35 years and owns the Paradise Beach Club which is the largest tourist hotel in Mirissa said that visitors to Mirissa who are concerned about their safety should steer clear of the beach parties held each night. Drugs and sex are the main attraction at these events. It is common for attractive females to be served with drinks lazed with drugs and sexually abused. Most incidents are not reported to the police, he noted.
However, responding to claims by local restaurant owners that some foreign women engage with these rough looking beach boys for casual sexual encounters, Paloma said, “You can’t have one situation without the other. There is no doubt that foreign women would form such casual relationships as there is no doubt that Sri Lankan men are rather good looking and on the surface, they are very chivalrous and respectful, kind, gentle and chatty etc. European men aren’t that and these European women perhaps feel comfortable around these local men. I think one thing leads onto another, but just because some women want to have such relationships with these men, that does not mean that they can treat all white women badly or judge them in the same manner.”
With regard to claims that the beach parties, seem to be the main hotspots for drugs and other unsociable activities, she said, “Yes, in most instances these beach parties are the root of the problem. Even last Sunday night I had the same problem. Just down the bay, there was a party that was held and the thumping the whole night was unbearable. There are rules that are set in place that such loud music cannot be played beyond 11.30 pm with the only exception being on New Year’s night where these parties are allowed to go on until dawn.
However, although there are rules and regulations, not all establishments follow these rules. Some places can extend the deadline for such parties until 12 midnight especially on the weekends, but certainly not beyond that. Parties also do fuel the overuse of alcohol and drugs and these are places that certain drug dealers hand out to get their customers. But, here again, it’s the duty of the police to keep the situation under control. Dancing and partying alone is not the problem but it’s the other unscrupulous activities that go on at these parties is what needs to be prevented,” she said.
However, according to Paloma, there are also tourists who come to Sri Lanka and do certain unlawful acts which they would not be able to do in their own countries, with the notion that they could get away with it. “So one thing leads onto another. Another thing is that especially local Sri Lankans have this notion that white tourists have loads of money to spend. I would have hoped that the Sri Lankans would be educated enough by now to know that they are no different to the rest of the people.
We too have to work hard to save the money to come on holidays just like everyone else. That money is precious and it is not pleasant when they are ripped off. This again feeds the westerners derision of the local people. I am not saying there still isn’t racism, yes there is. The racism of white against the brown people. I have seen white people treat the coloured people differently, but fortunately, this is now changing and we don’t see it happening as much. But they could very well be scornful of the local people when they feel that they are being ripped off or cheated on. Then they become aggressive themselves and this is certainly not good for the tourism industry.”
The decision to remove all illegal constructions from the coastal areas was taken recently, as these illegal places were found to be flouting all regulations and breeding a culture of drugs and other illegal activities.
According to the Coast Conservation Department Director-General Prabath Chandrakeerthi, they have taken the decision to demolish all illegal constructions along the coastal areas, while 17 such locations are being identified for demolition which will commence on May 1. However, while the Law and Order Ministry, the Police, the Coast Conservation Department and the Tourism Ministry are making arrangements to remove all such illegal constructions and businesses, the Provincial Councils and LG Minister Faiszer Mustapha states that such places should not be demolished or removed as it would affect the livelihood and employment opportunities of the locals.
It is such contradictory actions by the government and lack of proper standards that has led to a situation where there is no standard that is maintained.
Expressing her views on such ad-hoc tourist spots and unlicensed bars and restaurants, Paloma Scott said that the hoteliers in the region who own legitimate businesses lament that while they are being charged, monitored and taxed, there are others who simply put up constructions, or offer rooms in their homes and earn the same while not paying anything to the government.
No legal responsibility
Most of these illegal places have no legal responsibility and as such, all illegal and anti-social activities take place in such places. The recent incident in Mirissa is a fine example of such a situation. While it is important to support the local population make a living through the tourism industry, Sri Lanka needs to also be mindful about protecting the image of the country and promoting it as a safe tourist destination. Commenting on this situation as a legitimate business in the area, Paloma said she feels that everyone should be made to operate on a proper legal standing. “They should be licensed and made to apply proper safety rules etc. But the nature of the beach is part of the charm and I must say that what always attract the tourists is not just the big grand hotels but the small constructions that have been erected as a shack has its charm too and attracts tourists as well.
The weather and climate are what tourists come here for and they don’t always want to sit in an air-conditioned hotel and would prefer these little open places on the beach with cadjan over your head. This also gives the locals an opportunity to earn a living as all of them are not fishermen.”
However, in defence of the small-scale restaurants and bars on the beach which may not be legitimate, which are mushrooming everywhere where people offer bed and breakfast and as it is cheap some tourists also prefer these places, she said, these places are not properly legislated and don’t have to pay any taxes etc. which is an issue for the legitimate businesses. “So there is a problem here, how do you discriminate? Do you just say no shacks or charming huts we just want properly built hotels? I think that would be a great shame. I think the problem here is that there are double standards. If you do abide by the rules and get licenses, then you find others nearby doing the same but not paying taxes etc. These illegal places sell liquor, food etc. without licenses while those who do it legitimately too sell the same at the same price. So this is unfair to those who run legitimate businesses. If there are rules you need to apply them to everybody. And most of the small businesses in the southern coast can afford to pay for licenses as they do make quite a profit. They are not very poor that they can afford to pay,” she noted.
However, according to Paloma, it is the government officials that are the main problem. “A lot of them are corrupt. There is a history of some people getting away with anything by bribing the officials. I think the whole process of local government needs to be looked at. The businesses that operate legitimately and pay their dues need to be protected as well. After all, those who do pay taxes are contributing to the industry, so why should others be allowed to make money without having the overheads of paying taxes etc. while only a few who pay are being burdened? This is not fair. The government and the Local Government need to get their act together and implement the law fairly.”
Courtesy:Daily News