Sri Lanka to regulate tourist hotels

The Sri Lankan government is drafting minimum criteria for classification of tourist hotels and is preparing laws to decide on minimum space and facilities in a tourist hotel.
The proposal made by John Amaratunge, Minister of Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs, to present the directions, orders, and rules in parliament for approval which were published by the Minister in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 1963/28 dated 20-04-2016 under the Tourism Act No. 38 of 2005, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
This is with regard to the matters of direction of minimum capacities and facilities for classification of tourist hotels from 1 star to 5 star, decide on licence fees, making provisions regarding the discipline maintained by tourist hotels, registration and issuing licence for tourist hotels, and decide on minimum space and facilities in a tourist hotel.
(Source: Ada Derana – By Yusuf Ariff)
Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka to resume issuing vehicle number plates within two months after 10-month halt March 11, 2026
- Sri Lanka reviews economic risks amid Middle East conflict March 11, 2026
- Sri Lanka orders striking power workers back to duty March 11, 2026
- Litro gas prices increased March 10, 2026
- Sri Lankan government plans modern bus fleet to improve public transport March 10, 2026


What about the guys who hang around tourist hotels wearing a ‘handkerchief’ around their heads offering services to elderly, single European men and women?
Are they to be licensed too under the proposed legislation?