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Another tourist sexually abused in Matara

Details have emerged of a 25-year old Dutch woman holidaying in Sri Lankahaving been allegdly sexually assaulted by a hotel owner in Matara earlier this year.

The incident prompted Netherlands Embassy First Secretary Jaco Beerends to comment,

“The sexual abuse of a female Dutch national at a guest house in Matara can be considered a ‘terrible’ incident and the authorities must act upon any incident that concerns the safety of tourists arriving in the country.”

The victim, who lodged a complaint with the Matara police, could not follow up the case however, as she left the island. The accused hotelier has since been released on bail.

This latest case adds to a string of recent reports of sexual assaults and rape of foreign tourists visiting Sri Lanka, the most notable being the murder of 27-year-old Briton, Kuram Shaikah Zaman whose 24-year old Russian girlfriend was raped during the attack. A local politician and associate of the Rajapkse family has since been arrested over the incident.

According to the Southern Hoteliers Association, who condemned the incident, “more police officers should be deployed where community tourism takes place”.

However, with a Tourist Police officer himself being accused a local 28-year old mother of two, it looks unlikely to solve the problem of sexual violence in the country.

See what Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the US had to say on reports of sexual violence earlier this month, in our post “State of denial” (08 Jan 2012)

Also see our earlier posts:

More rape incidents of tourists emerge (02 Jan 2012)

‘Attempted rape’ of Swedish tourist adds to Sri Lanka’s woes
(31 Dec 2011)

Investigation of British tourist's murder under scrutiny
(29 Dec 2011)

Rajapakse associate arrested for murder and rape of tourists
(27 Dec 2011)

British tourist murdered on Christmas Eve after row with local politician (26 Dec 2011)

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