The government made an embarrassing U-turn once again yesterday, when Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya informed Parliament that the government had no plans to promote LGBTQ tourism or give special privileges to any particular group as mentioned in a recent letter by the SLTDA Chairman.
Speaking in Parliament, Harini said the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairman had issued a letter regarding LGBTQ tourism without consulting the political authorities.
“The government’s stance on this matter has been clearly stated by the President and communicated to religious leaders and other concerned parties,” she said.
The Prime Minister also stressed that sensitive issues like this should not be used for political gain. She added that the respective Minister has already advised the SLTDA Chairman on the government’s policy regarding the issue.
Harini made these remarks in response to a question raised by SJB MP Kavinda Jayawardane about the actions taken against the SLTDA Chairman over the letter.
The matter of LGBTQ tourism came under public scrutiny after the Tourism Development Authority issued a letter endorsing LGBTQ tourism in Sri Lanka.
In the letter, the Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam said that Sri Lanka Tourism was pleased to endorse the project on promoting and developing LGBTIQ tourism in Sri Lanka and that the SLTDA recognised the potential of this project to diversify Sri Lanka’s tourism markets and position the country as a safe, inclusive and welcoming destination for all travellers.
In the letter addressed to the Executive Director of Equal Ground, Buddhika even went as far as to state that the SLTDA welcomes the organization’s participation in collaboration with the Authority at international tourism forums, fairs and LGBTIQ tourism networks which will enhance Sri Lanka’s visibility in this important segment.
No sooner that this letter became public, Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath who saw it in the media had called the SLTDA Chairman and told him to urgently issue a clarification as this was done without the consent of the government. Sources said that the Minister was not aware of any such decision and asked for a clarification but had decided not to take further action.
