By Charumini de Silva

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLDA) yesterday warned licenced establishments which adopt discriminatory practices against local tourists with ‘foreigners only’ policy.

“Several complaints have been made by domestic tourists stating that they are not allowed to enter certain restaurants and hotels in the areas of Hikkaduwa and Arugambay, where these establishments seem to have a ‘foreigners only’ policy,” SLTDA Chairperson Kimarli Fernando told the Daily FT. 

Acknowledging that these incidents create a negative sentiment amongst Sri Lankans about the tourism industry, the Chairperson said that the SLTDA has warned licenced establishments against discrimination of domestic travellers. 

“Our Constitution affords equal right to all citizens; where no person shall, on the grounds of race, religion, language, caste, sex or any one such grounds, be subjected to any disability, liability, restriction or condition with regard to access to shops, public restaurants, hotels, places of public entertainment and places of public worship of his own religion,” Fernando stressed.

She warned that the SLTDA will take action to suspend or cancel licences of such establishments pending inquiry and if found to be discriminating against domestic tourists will take steps to issue fresh licences in such areas to establishments that will serve Sri Lankans as well as foreign guests. 

“Domestic tourism is a critical component of the leisure industry and locals have supported the tourism industry through its most difficult period after Easter Sunday terror attacks,” Fernando added

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