Sri Lanka’s tourism industry has been thrown into the spotlight after Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith publicly criticized what he described as attempts to promote LGBTQ+ tourism in the country. In response, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam issued a strong clarification, insisting that the bureau has never promoted sex tourism and that the controversial article at the heart of the storm was gravely misunderstood.
According to Hewawasam, the article was written with the aim of highlighting how the LGBTQ+ community connects with global tourism trends. However, he admitted that errors in language caused misinterpretation, leading to allegations that the bureau was directly promoting LGBTQ+ tourism. He stressed that the sole intention was to reflect globally recognized principles of diversity and inclusion and to present Sri Lanka as a welcoming destination for all visitors.
Hewawasam underlined that the bureau operates under the principle of safeguarding equality across nationalities, ethnicities, religions, and gender identities. He said Sri Lanka must be seen as a safe and inclusive destination, especially at a time when the country is targeting three million tourist arrivals under its new development program. He noted that the focus of promotion remains Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage, religious landmarks, and natural beauty, not sexual orientation or identity.
The chairman also stated firmly that neither the Tourism Promotion Bureau nor the Development Authority supports or engages in any form of sex tourism. Instead, the mission is to show the world that Sri Lanka is a country that values human dignity, protects equality, respects privacy, and provides a safe environment for travelers.
Addressing the Archbishop’s concerns, Hewawasam said he was surprised by Cardinal Ranjith’s reaction and believed the misunderstanding stemmed from miscommunication. He added that he agreed with the Cardinal’s view that individuals born with differences, whether physical or otherwise, deserve dignity and respect. He further assured the public that the bureau has no plans to introduce indirect promotions linked to LGBTQ+ tourism or to run any special campaigns outside its mainstream promotional activities.
As the tourism sector continues to recover, Hewawasam emphasized that presenting Sri Lanka as a country built on equality and safety is vital. The world, he said, must see Sri Lanka as a nation that does not discriminate, that welcomes diversity, and that offers authentic cultural, religious, and environmental treasures to the global traveler.
