The Hon. Vijitha Herath - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism

¶ 01 (a) (i) As at March 2026, 8,322 tourism service providers were registered under the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).

¶ 02 (ii) A comprehensive assessment of operators outside the regulatory framework has not been conducted. Based on surveys and data on services marketed through booking engines, the estimated number of unregistered providers is approximately 30,000.

¶ 03 (iii) Under the Tourism Act, No. 38 of 2005, SLTDA officers and the Tourist Police Division are not vested with powers to conduct investigations, record statements, search property or persons, make arrests or detentions, or impose on-the-spot fines.

¶ 04 (iv) After 29.09.2025, the Law Enforcement Unit under the Director (Legal) conducted on-site inspections of 63 unregistered institutions. Legal notices were issued; 11 sought registration thereafter. Approval has been obtained from the Management Board to initiate legal action against the remainder. Cases will be filed based on the advice of the Attorney-General’s Department.

¶ 05 Complaints submitted by tourists are referred to the Tourist Police Division for action.

¶ 06 Complaints regarding SLTDA-registered institutions or individuals are first addressed amicably or via verbal inquiry by SLTDA; unresolved matters are advised to be referred to the relevant police.

¶ 07 All complaints under criminal or general law are referred to the Tourist Police or, through it, to relevant police stations.

¶ 08 Complaints on standards/quality of SLTDA-registered institutions are referred to SLTDA’s Standards and Quality Assurance Division.

¶ 09 (v) From 29.09.2025 to date, 63 on-site inspections on unregistered establishments were conducted. Due to difficulties from Cyclone “Ditwah”, inspections were paused for a considerable period; steps are being taken to resume.

¶ 10 No penalties have yet been imposed. Approval has been obtained to initiate legal action against 34 institutions; final notices have been issued. Legal proceedings will be instituted based on the Attorney-General’s Department’s advice.

¶ 11 (vi) SLTDA is not aware of outstanding VAT payable by tourism entities. Any outstanding Tourism Development Levy will be recovered at annual licence issuance.

¶ 12 (vii) Annual revenue collected through the National Tourism Development Levy: - 2022: Rs. 1,440,010,646 - 2023: Rs. 1,473,821,116 - 2024: Rs. 2,582,085,320 - 2025: Rs. 2,583,658,841

¶ 13 (viii) Overall, revenue shows an increasing trend from 2022 to 2025, likely associated with higher tourist arrivals, though other factors may have influenced it. There are no clear criteria to determine whether the increase from 2023 to 2024 was proportionate to arrivals.

¶ 14 (ix) Licensed tourist guides registered as at 31.03.2026: - National Tourist Guide Lecturers: 2,037 - Chauffeur Tourist Guide Lecturers: 1,721 - Regional Tourist Guide Lecturers: 1,571 - Site Tourist Guide Lecturers: 106 Total: 5,435

¶ 15 Complaints regarding licensed tourist guides from Jan 2025 to 31 Mar 2026: 15.

¶ 16 A new Act with necessary amendments is being formulated, following a review of shortcomings in the existing Tourism Act, to enhance transparency, compliance and investor confidence.

¶ 17 (b) Not applicable.