Attacks on foreigners on southern beach: 13 arrested

By Shamindra Ferdinando-April 19, 2018, 10:55 pm 

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 on April 18 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,

According to police, the incident on the Meedigama-Weligama beach took place a week after thugs assaulted a group of foreigners and sexually assaulted one woman on the Mirissa beach also in the Weligama police area.

The police said that three more persons wanted in connection with the Mirissa incident had been arrested on April 17. They, too, have been remanded till April 19.

Tourism Ministry Secretary Esala Weerakoon told The Island that he had briefed relevant diplomatic missions on the incident and assured them of speedy action.

Witnesses absent: 9 suspects re-remanded

Police headquarters said that nine suspects produced before the Matara Magistrate for an identification parade yesterday were re-remanded till May 3 due to the failure on the part of the witness to appear. The identification parade will be held on May 3 at the next hearing.