Sri Lanka to build park for romantic young lovers

The Sri Lankan government says it will construct a park for romantic young couples who want freedom to be together without being victimised by police. Earlier this year hundreds of couples in two towns were arrested for associating with each other in public. The government expressed some embarrassment about the arrests.

Sri Lanka is a conservative country where public displays of affection have traditionally been frowned upon. There have recently been a series of arrests. The aim of this scheme is simple - to let young people show their feelings for each other. That is according to the chairman of the National Youth Services Council, Lalith Piyum Perera.



He said that for several years there had been plans for what he called a youth park or even a "lovers' park". But the plans gained momentum after police arrested hundreds of young couples for being out together, or possibly cuddling or kissing, in the towns of Kurunegala and Matara. Mr Perera said that among those picked on by the over-zealous police were young engaged couples, even married ones.

He said that the youth affairs minister had felt partially responsible for this as the authorities had not provided areas where lovers could comfortably associate. The new park, opening next year, will be on the banks of a river near parliament. Children will not be admitted - but other than that, there will be no strict age limits, although it will be targeted at young people. There are plans for more such parks in future although some people will perhaps worry that they will become a target for voyeurs.