The recent wave of murders and violent crimes in Sri Lanka is raising serious concerns among stakeholders in the tourism industry, leading to fears of stagnation in one of the country’s fastest-growing economic sectors.
Sameera Senaka de Silva, Chairman of the All Sri Lanka Small and Medium Scale Tourism Entrepreneurs Association, addressed these concerns at a media briefing held in Galle. He warned that escalating security threats could have a direct and devastating impact on Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, which has been on a path to recovery and expansion in recent years.
“When a situation arises where people are afraid to walk on the streets, it creates an immediate risk to the tourism sector. Just as we are witnessing a positive turnaround in the industry, a series of unfortunate incidents have begun to take place. This is a critical time for tourism, and any instability could significantly hinder our progress,” de Silva stated.
He emphasized that safety concerns among visitors, particularly incidents involving theft, injuries, or violent attacks, could severely damage Sri Lanka’s reputation as a tourist destination. “If this wave of shootings and killings is not brought under control, we will undoubtedly face various setbacks in the sector. The authorities must take immediate action to ensure the safety of tourists and address these security issues before they escalate further,” he added.
As Sri Lanka continues to promote itself as a leading travel destination, industry leaders are urging the government and law enforcement agencies to take swift measures to restore public confidence and maintain the country’s appeal to international visitors.
