Curtains on touts operating mafia at BIA

The freedom to choose is endorsed in most societies. Especially when it comes to tourism and aviation there are many choices that tourists or passengers can make according to their preferences from choosing an airline service to booking a hotel. What if the choices are manipulated and if a customer is inappropriately persuaded by a set of people who have hidden agendas to make money through higher rates or prices? This kind of Mafia is still practised at prominent places like airports. But its ugly face could not continue as Police Special Task Force (STF) launched a mission to arrest persons who were illegally involved in persuading passengers inappropriately to use their taxi services at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA). 

Through intelligence information and upon the instructions of STF Commandant and Senior Deputy Inspector General of police, M.R.Latiff, OIC of Intelligence Division, Chief Inspector Nadika Silva with STF troops conducted a surveillance of the touters who had been engaging in this alleged unethical business. Subsequently based on the surveillance nine individuals were arrested at BIA arrival terminal at around 3PM for inappropriately persuading both local and foreign passengers to hire passenger taxi services at a higher rate on Saturday. Later they were handed over to Katunayake police for further investigations. CI Silva also noted that the support from the general public in providing information on these touters had been commendable. 

There had been many complaints of such activities previously. There had been cases of theft and intimidation which had left the passengers or tourists in fear

Speaking to Daily Mirror, CI Nadika Silva said that these individuals had been forcibly influencing the customers to obtain their services.  He also said that these individuals threatened other taxi service providers in the presence of tourists in order to secure the hires. “There had been many complaints of such activities previously,” he said. He also stressed that there had been cases of theft and intimidation which had left the passengers or tourists in fear. “There are individuals who steal laptops and bags when tourist move out of sight for a short while and this has been happening for a long time. This operates like a mafia,” he further added. He also opined that this has alerted the public and led to necessary precautions to be taken against such acts.  

CI Silva stated that STF troops were deployed at the BIA and that the place would continue to be under heavy surveillance. 

According to CI Silva, these taxi service providers are not registered like many other taxi services and have no legal right to remain within the airport premises. “This can be a threat to the safety of the airport as well” he said.  CI Silva stated that most of the time these taxis charge a higher rate from both foreigners and locals.

Mostly the rates are determined through negotiations and the customers are not forced to pay any amount that taxi drivers demand

According to our airport correspondent many tourists and passengers have expressed their willingness to regulate the taxi fares to avoid such fraudulent acts. 

Speaking to Daily Mirror, National Tourist Guide Association’s Vice President, Sarath Wijendra said that implementing a fixed rate was problematic as the rates commensurate with service and the quality of the taxi service. “Mostly the rates are determined through negotiations and the customers are not forced to pay any amount that taxi drivers demand. But it is known that there is a set of drivers who enter and remain in the premises without permission,” he further added.

A senior STF officer said that these types of fraudulent activities were still being practised in other tourist sites and a careful investigation was necessary to raid such individuals. “Still we are carrying out further investigations into this,” he added.

The suspects, aged between 31 and 68, were identified as residents of Andiambalama, Galle, Minuwangoda, Negombo, Wariyapola, Seeduwa and Walasmulla

The Police said the suspects, aged between 31 and 68, were identified as residents of Andiambalama, Galle, Minuwangoda, Negombo, Wariyapola, Seeduwa and Walasmulla.

The suspects were produced at Negombo Magistrate’s Court on 19th and were remanded until the 20th (Monday). The suspects were granted cash bail of Rs.10, 000 each after charges were filed against them as touts, Katunayaka Police said.