‘Foreigners Only’ policy face license cancellation

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority says that they have received complaints regarding discriminatory practices followed by some tourist establishments against Sri Lankan Citizens.

“We have taken action in this regard. Our Constitution affords the equal right to all citizens; where no person shall, on the grounds of race, religion, language, caste, sex, or anyone such grounds, be subjected to any disability, liability, restriction, or condition concerning access to shops, public restaurants, hotels, places of public entertainment and places of worship,” the SLTDA said in a release.

“Should there be a formal complaint and found to have been discriminatory, we would not hesitate to suspend or cancel license, including informing travelers and notifying online travel agencies to abstain from taking bookings.”

Domestic tourists have stood by our industry through difficult times and it’s our citizens who have supported our industry right throughout. For that, as industry stakeholders, we should be grateful.

At the same time, we urge the domestic travelers also to ensure that the tourist property is well taken care of, that we adhere to the hotels requirements and be brand ambassadors for the industry and country. It is our duty to support an important industry sector recover and prosper. Tourist establishments could make complaints against such guests who neither care for the property nor adhere to stated requirements of the establishments and SLTDA will take necessary action against such guests.