New Tourism Act to replace outdated legislation

Saturday, 28 June 2025 01:15 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Cabinet approves directing Legal Draftsman to prepare Bill based on concept paper prepared by Expert Committee
Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa says proposed new Act is expected to create more responsive, modern and growth-oriented regulatory framework for tourism industry
Deputy Tourism Minister Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe says new Act will reflect evolving dynamics of tourism industry, trends, investment facilitation and sustainable development

Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa

By Charumini De Silva

The Cabinet of Ministers this week approved directing the Legal Draftsman to prepare a Bill based on the Concept Paper prepared by an Expert Committee appointed under the Chairmanship of the Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Ministry Secretary.

The move follows a previous decision made by the Cabinet on 20 January 2025, where policy concurrence was expressed to replace the existing Tourism Act No. 38 of 2005.

Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa yesterday explained the proposed new Act is expected to create a more responsive, modern, and growth-oriented regulatory framework for tourism industry.

“The concept paper had identified legal shortcomings and obstacles that have hindered the development of the tourism industry and the new Act is intended to address those challenges.

This is in response to longstanding requests from industry stakeholders,” he said responding to queries posed at the weekly post-Cabinet meeting media briefing.

The initiative to replace the existing 2005 Act comes in the backdrop of wider efforts to overhaul the tourism governance structure, including the proposal to establish a National Tourism Council as an apex body to address bureaucratic overlaps, accelerate project execution and unlock sector’s full growth potential (https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Govt-moves-to-establish-National-Tourism-Council-soon-Deputy-Minister/44-778148).

“The proposed Act is expected to reflect the evolving dynamics of tourism industry, trends, investment facilitation and sustainable development,” Deputy Tourism Minister Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe told the Daily FT.

He asserted that the proposed legislation will undergo a thorough review to reflect current industry needs. “Stakeholder input will be crucial in shaping the new law,” he said, adding that the formulation of the Act is expected to take about one year.

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