Minister of Tourism,Hon. Prasanna Ranatunga says that steps will be taken to upgrade the existing Tourist Police Units island wide.  He emphasized that the move was aimed at ensuring the safety of tourists visiting the island after the Covid pandemic.

"Under this, the necessary officers will be recruited for the Tourist Police Units and other necessary infrastructure facilities will be provided. Discussions have been already commenced with the Ministry of Defence in this regard ˜the Minister said.

He expressed these views during an inspection visit of the Arugambay Tourist Police Unit. The Arugambay Police Station was formerly a police post.  It was upgraded to a Tourist Police Station under the present government and the necessary facilities will be provided for it, the Minister said.

"At present, 16 Tourist Police Units have been established island wide.  Steps have been taken to upgrade Unawatuna, Kalpitiya, Mount Lavinia, Eththukala and Arugambay Tourist Police Posts to Tourist Police Stations this year˜ he said.   The Minister further stated that necessary steps are being taken to set up Tourist Police Units in tourist areas.

The Minister further said that the operation of Tourist Police Units has been assigned to a separate Deputy Inspector General of Police and steps are being taken to streamline the activities of these police stations for the protection of local and foreign tourists.Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism Mr. S. Hettiarachchi and several others also participated in the inspection visit of the Arugambay Tourist Police Station.