Courtesy Hiru News

Galle, December 4, 2023

In a disturbing incident that unfolded on the night of December 2nd, an Australian hotel owner in the picturesque Ahangama area of Galle was viciously attacked by a group of individuals. The victim, identified as 57-year-old Mark Williams, had recently acquired the hotel, which had been closed for three and a half years. The attack occurred during the reopening ceremony of the hotel, attended by a sizable number of foreign tourists.

Reports suggest that approximately 15 individuals from a party at a neighbouring venue confronted the hotel’s management, threatening to disrupt the event. The situation escalated when Mark Williams personally intervened to inquire about the matter. Regrettably, he was met with physical violence from the group.

He sustained injuries in the assault and was promptly rushed to Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment.

Ahangama Police responded to the incident, apprehending three individuals believed to be involved in the attack. However, perplexingly, the police later decided to release the suspects, raising concerns about the efficacy of the investigation and the pursuit of justice in this case.

The motive behind the attack remains unclear, but tensions between the hotel and the group from the adjacent party seem to have triggered the violent confrontation. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, particularly given the potential impact on the region’s tourism industry.