The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) today said stern action will be taken against tourist establishments who practice a ‘Foreigners Only’ policy.
In a statement, the SLTDA said that they had received complaints regarding discriminatory practices followed by some tourist establishments against Sri Lankan citizens.
“Our Constitution affords the equal right to all citizens; where no person shall, on the grounds of race, religion, language, caste, sex, or anyone such grounds, be subjected to any disability, liability, restriction, or condition concerning access to shops, public restaurants, hotels, places of public entertainment and places of worship,” the SLTDA said.
The authority said that they would suspend or cancel the license of such establishments, including informing travelers and notifying Online Travel agencies to abstain from taking bookings if any spots were found to have been discriminatory.
The SLTDA said that domestic tourists had stood by the tourism industry through difficult times. “It’s our citizens who have supported our industry right throughout. For that, as industry stakeholders, we should be grateful,” they said.
At the same time, we urge the domestic travelers also to ensure that the tourist property is well taken care of, that we adhere to the hotels requirements and be brand ambassadors for the industry and country. It is our duty to support an important industry sector recover and prosper. Tourist establishments could make complaints against such guests who neither care for the property nor adhere to stated requirements of the establishments and SLTDA will take necessary action against such guests, the SLTDA said.
Sri Lanka Travel Feneteko