Police to take tough action against hoteliers

by Jayampathy JAYASINGHE

Attention has been focussed on the increasing number of child abuse and rape cases reported from many parts of the country in hotels, guest houses and rest houses, Police Media Spokesman SP, Ajith Rohana told the Sunday Observer.

IGP. N.K. Illangakoon sent out a circular last week to DIGs SSPs ASPs and HQIs of Police Divisions and police stations that OICs should liaise with hotel managers to check such incidents. The circular states that Senior DIGs of police divisions should instruct HQIs and OICs of police stations to discuss with hoteliers, guest house and rest house keepers on steps to check child abuse and sex crimes in hotels and rest houses.

Senior DIGs in charge of the provinces have been called upon to prepare a dossier to include the names of OICs of police stations, telephone numbers of hotel proprietors and managers in their areas, their names and addresses, telephone numbers and business registration numbers of hotels. OICs have been told that information in this regard could be obtained under Section 76 of the Police Ordinance.

HQIs and OICs have been asked to summon hoteliers and Managers and discuss the following issues with them. How the police could act to prevent child abuse and sex crimes. Steps that hoteliers should take before couples check into hotels. For instance, to check the identities of couples and inform the OIC of the nearest police station if a girl is a minor. The law relating to aiding and abetting of others to commit such offences under Section 345 and 364 of the Penal Code. The IGP has called for a report from Senior DIGs to implement the program before the end of August.