The 25-year-old Israeli tourist, Tamar Amitai, who went missing on Wednesday (26) while visiting Sri Lanka, has been found, according to police.
Amitai, who arrived in Sri Lanka on June 22, was travelling alone in the Trincomalee area. She had booked a room online and was staying at the Rolex Guest House in Trincomalee. The guesthouse owner reported that she checked in on June 22 and had not returned since Wednesday.
The Uppuweli Police launched an investigation after the guesthouse owner lodged a complaint. Despite extensive efforts, no information was received until this morning.
The Daily Mirror reported on the incident earlier today and it went viral.
The governor of the Eastern Province, Senthil Thondaman, said that Amitai was found through a special operation conducted by the police, army, Divisional Secretariat, Uppuvali Pradhya Sabha, and the Eastern Province Tourism Bureau, under the monitoring of the Governor’s Secretariat.
The governor appointed a committee led by the Chairman of the Eastern Province Tourism Bureau A.P Mathan, where he instructed authorities to submit a report within three hours about the missing tourist.
Amitai was found at Sallikovil, a few kilometers from her hotel after the committee was formed. It was reported that she had fallen unconscious while visiting the area but is now in good condition without any physical or sexual assault.
The governor appreciated the Daily Mirror and all involved in completing the search operation.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Eastern Province Tourism Bureau P. Mathanavasan praised the timely intervention and collaborative efforts of all stakeholders, including the media, in averting a potential crisis that could have impacted tourism negatively. “We appreciate the media for promptly and accurately disseminating information,” he acknowledged.
He further emphasized that Sri Lanka remains a safe destination for tourists, reaffirming their commitment to ensuring visitors’ safety and well-being.
