The government is in the process of drafting a new Tourism Act to address legal loopholes that currently prevent the prosecution of foreign nationals who engage in unauthorised activities while on tourist visas. Speaking at a certificate awarding ceremony for the Vocational Initiative for Sustainable Ambassadors in Tourism (VISA) project at the Royal Kandyan Hotel, Suranjith Wavita, a member of the Presidential Task Force for Tourism Development, stated that the current Tourism Act No. 38 of 2005 was flawed as it does not prescribe specific punishments, beyond deportation, for such offenders.

Wavita highlighted that a significant number of foreigners, including Chinese nationals, had been deported over the past three months for working as illegal tour guides and engaging in various trading activities. He explained that due to a shortage of Chinese-speaking local guides, travel agents often brought in “Tour Leaders” from abroad on tourist visas, which was a serious violation. The proposed new legislation aimed to empower the Tourist Police Division to arrest and produce such violators, ensuring stricter enforcement than mere deportation.

The new Act is being formulated by a committee of experts, based on various proposals and ideas to make it mandatory for anyone involved in the tourism industry to be registered and properly trained. To facilitate this, the government has already lowered the basic qualifications required for registration, allowing more locals to enter the profession legally and prevent the negative impact of unauthorised operators on the industry’s future.

Discussing the industry’s growth, Wavita noted that Sri Lanka was now aiming for an annual target of three million foreign tourists. He specifically mentioned the success of the 311-km “Pekoe Trail” in the central highlands, which attracts around 500 tourists daily and helps channel tourism income into plantation-based communities.

He also emphasised the importance of environmental protection, noting that since 25% of Sri Lanka’s flora is endemic, some foreigners enter the country with the intention of “biopiracy,” making the role of trained local guides crucial in safeguarding natural resources.

The VISA training project was implemented by the National Cleaner Production Centre (NCPC) and ASSIST, with the support of VFS Global. The event saw the participation of high-ranking officials, including Manpreet Singh Aurora (Senior General Manager, VFS Global), H.C.P. Jayaweera (Director General of National Botanical Gardens), and Samantha Kumarasena (CEO, NCPC).

Wavita concluded by praising the increasing participation of women in the tourism sector, describing it as a vital contribution to both the industry’s progress and the national economy.

By S.K. Samaranayake