Sri Lankan authorities have officially withdrawn their support from a prominent LGBT+ tourism advocacy project, marking a significant reversal in efforts to promote the country as an inclusive destination for all travelers. The decision comes after mounting criticism from religious and cultural figures within the nation.
Initial Endorsement and Subsequent Reversal
The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) had initially endorsed a proposal by Equal Ground, a leading LGBT+ advocacy group, to market the Indian Ocean island as a safe and welcoming place for LGBT+ visitors. At the time of the endorsement in September, SLTDA chairman Buddhika Hewawasam stated the initiative could help diversify tourism markets and enhance Sri Lanka's global reputation.
However, local reporting soon revealed substantial opposition to the endorsement, including from senior Buddhist monks and Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, head of the Catholic church in Sri Lanka. Following this outcry, Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe confirmed the withdrawal of the official letter of support.
Cultural Sensitivities and Official Justification
"People in Sri Lanka are still uncomfortable speaking on this topic. It's a cultural issue. It's not Europe, it is still Asia. Practically, we have not advanced to that stage where parents would be alright with same sex marriages," Ranasinghe told the Telegraph, explaining the government's position.
He added: "When we don't know the kind of sexual orientation of the people who come to this country, what they do in their private time, it is nobody's concern as long as they don't engage in such activities in public."
Advocacy Group Expresses Disappointment
Rosanna Flamer-Caldera, founder of Equal Ground, told The Independent that the withdrawal has caused "total disappointment" within her organization. "We are very disturbed by the news," she said, noting that many LGBT+ people work in Sri Lanka's tourism industry.
Flamer-Caldera emphasized that the National People's Power party, currently in government, had come into office with promises to the LGBT+ community regarding decriminalization efforts. Equal Ground's project involved running inclusion programmes with tour operators, hotels, and taxi drivers to create a more welcoming environment.
"The sole purpose was to make Sri Lanka a friendly place for LGBT+ persons to visit and spend their money without judgment or harassment, without prejudice," she explained. "We are highly disappointed and we feel that the rhetoric that is going around is a deliberate attempt to tarnish the LGBT+ community and cause damage to our reputations."
Industry Reaction and Travel Advisory Context
Darren Burn, CEO of LGBT+ travel company Out of Office, described the move as "short-sighted" and warned it will "have consequences" for Sri Lanka's tourism industry. "We send hundreds of clients to Sri Lanka each year, and news like this inevitably creates hesitation among travellers who want to feel openly welcomed and supported," he told The Independent.
Burn acknowledged that Sri Lanka remains an extraordinary destination with a strong network of hotels, guides, and travel businesses that genuinely welcome LGBT+ travelers, including several that are proudly gay-owned and operated. However, he stressed that such decisions from the tourist board risk damaging global confidence in the destination.
The UK's foreign office currently warns LGBT+ travelers that same-sex sexual activity remains illegal in Sri Lanka, though it notes no recent prosecutions are known. This legal context adds complexity to tourism marketing efforts targeting LGBT+ visitors.
Broader Implications for Tourism Strategy
The withdrawal represents a significant setback for efforts to position Sri Lanka as a progressive tourism destination in competitive global markets. Despite its popularity among LGBT+ travelers, the country now faces challenges in reconciling its tourism development goals with domestic cultural and religious sensitivities.
Equal Ground's initiative was designed to create systematic inclusion through training and awareness programs across the tourism sector. The reversal suggests ongoing tensions between economic development priorities and social conservatism within Sri Lankan society.
As tourism authorities navigate these complex dynamics, the decision highlights the challenges facing destinations seeking to balance international market expectations with domestic cultural values in an increasingly globalized travel industry.
