The killing of a British man at the tourist resort of Tangalle in Sri Lanka was an “isolated incident” and should not deter tourists, according to Sri Lanka Tourism chairman Dr Nalaka Godahewa.
He told a local newspaper that authorities had responded well to the incident on Christmas Day. “Both the Russian and British embassies were happy about the government acting swiftly.”
He said incidents of this nature happen everywhere and Sri Lanka remained one of the safest destinations.
“Even in developed countries, one could see tourists being robbed, mugged and even murdered. Even a Sri Lankan was stabbed to death in London recently,” he said.
Holidaymaker Kuram Shaikah Zaman, from Manchester, was killed on Christmas day. He was reportedly on leave from his job in the Gaza Strip, where he worked for the International Committee of the Red Cross as a physical rehabilitation programme manager.
Mr Zaman and a Russian woman were attacked following an argument with a man at a hotel, according to reports.
Four men have been arrested in connection with the incident.