• Establishments including accommodation providers/restaurants urged to register with SLTDA to obtain permits 

In response to concerns about parties providing various services to tourists, including accommodation, without obtaining the relevant permits, the Police has launched awareness raising activities.

This was revealed by the Tourist Police Director, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Pradeep Ratnayake, who told The Daily Morning that as part of these activities, service providers are instructed to register with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) as per the applicable laws. Noting that the Tourist Police’s response to the said issue is currently limited to such, he added that for the time being, no arrests are being made of those who provide services for tourists without permits.

“As per the law, if a certain party provides services such as accommodation for tourists, they are required to register with the SLTDA. The SLTDA then checks these places after which a permit is issued,” SSP Ratnayake explained.

Recently, it was reported that the SLTDA had instructed the Tourist Police to check various parties that provide services to tourists, including restaurants and accommodation providers, without obtaining the relevant permits.

This is in a context where media reports have also pointed out that certain groups of foreign tourists, who currently reside in Sri Lanka on tourist visa, are engaged in various businesses. This issue was recently discussed on social media as well, where local service providers had raised similar allegations. They alleged that in addition to legal businesses such as the provision of accommodation, some tourists are engaged in the drug trade as well.