Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), Buddhika Hewawasam, has assured that Sri Lanka has the necessary infrastructure to meet the government’s target of attracting three million tourists to the country this year.

Speaking to the media, Hewawasam said the SLTDA is taking steps to streamline the process of investing in the tourism industry and is addressing the issue of foreigners running businesses in Sri Lanka while on tourist visas.

Hewawasam said that many tourist hotel rooms in Sri Lanka are not documented in government censuses, although they are catering to tourists. He added that, when combining both regulated and unregulated accommodations, there are sufficient rooms to meet demand.

“We do not intend to shut down illegal operations but aim to regulate them. By obtaining legal status, these businesses can benefit from certain government services,” he said. He also said that if businesses refuse to comply with regulations, authorities will take legal action.

Hewawasam expressed concern over the concentration of accommodation developments in existing tourist hotspots, rather than in locations with potential to become new tourist destinations. “To address this, we need to attract more investors. Government-owned lands earmarked for tourism are being placed under a land bank to simplify the investment process. The Tourism Development Authority is also facilitating the issuance of licences and permits to investors,” he said.

The SLTDA, he added, has an investment relations unit which is being digitised to further enhance efficiency.

Addressing the issue of foreigners operating businesses illegally while on tourist visas, Hewawasam said several such individuals on the southern coast had already been arrested, with some deported. “If a person on a tourist visa takes up employment or operates a business, they are no longer a tourist, regardless of their country of origin. We rely on tourism professionals and locals to report such cases and urge them to continue doing so.”

Hewawasam said the SLTDA is conducting operations in Unawatuna, Bentota, and Mirissa to address the issue and plans to expand these efforts across the country. “We have reached an agreement with the Acting Inspector General of Police and the Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police overseeing the Tourist Police to assign two officers specialising in tourist policing to all police stations in tourist zones.”

He added that a centralised unit for tourist policing will be established, and the SLTDA has sought advice from the Attorney General regarding setting up a unit within the authority to pursue legal action against such individuals.

By Hemantha Randunu

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has informed Fort Magistrate Nipuni Lankapura, through a B Report, that investigations are underway into the disappearance of 29 vehicles belonging to the Presidential Secretariat.

The inquiry was launched following a complaint filed by the Presidential Secretary. The CID said a statement had already been recorded from an individual, who previously served as an Additional Presidential Secretary, regarding the missing vehicles.

The police have identified those who used 16 of the 29 missing vehicles. However, no information has yet been uncovered about the remaining 13 vehicles, the CID has said.

After reviewing the submissions, Magistrate Lankapura directed the CID to conduct a thorough investigation and submit a progress report to the court by 12 March.

By A.J.A. Abeynayake

The Attorney General informed the Court of Appeal on Thursday (16) that the government had yet to reach a final decision regarding the agreement with India’s Adani Group to initiate a wind power project in the Vedithalathivu area of Mannar.

The Deputy Solicitor General, representing the Attorney General, also informed the court that several other significant cases, related to the project, were due to be heard by the Supreme Court in March.

The petition, filed by Sanka Chandima Abeywardena, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Haritha Sangvidhanaya (Green Organisation), seeks a writ order to nullify the agreement between the government and the Adani Group for the Mannar Vedithalathivu wind power project. The matter was taken up on Thursday before Court of Appeal Judge M.U.B. Karaliyadda.

Following submissions, the judge ordered the petition to be listed for further consideration on 23 May.