Over 80 percent of drug dealers and underworld members in Mirissa operate using illegal and unauthorized constructions on the coastal line as their base, a top Police source said on Sunday. 

"As a result of their influence, these unauthorized constructions could not be removed in the past. But, in the wake of the recent incident in Mirissa, now the authorities are moving fast to demolish unauthorized constructions hampering the tourism sector," the spokesperson said. 

The Coastal Conservation Department said it would demolish illegal and unauthorized constructions on the Mirissa coastal belt before May 01. The CCD has already earmarked 17 constructions to be demolished with immediate effect. 

"The large majority of Mirissa hotel operators do a great job. Only a handful of unscrupulous businessman operate in synch with underworld members and drug dealers. They have set up their business establishments without any license. If our idea is to make Mirissa a peaceful place, we must immediately execute the law and demolish their illegal constructions," a senior official of the CCD said.

"Their constructions are illegal and they operate without any valid license from the Excise Department or the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority. They use political and underworld influence to circumvent the law. This has to be stopped," the official asserted.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) will also launch a mobile licensing programme in the area for all hotel operators who have not yet obtained license from the state tourism body. It was revealed that Surf Bar, Mirissa - the restaurant which came under fire on the recent assault on Dutch tourists - has not yet obtained license from the SLTDA.