By Our Reporter,
Colombo,
A writ petition has been filed before the Court of Appeal challenging the legality of an alleged endorsement by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) of projects promoting LGBTIQ tourism.
The petition was filed by Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekara, President and Convenor of the Federation of National Organisations, Dr. Wasantha Bandara, Secretary of the Patriotic National Movement, and two others.
The petitioners are seeking an order staying the operation of a letter purportedly issued by the SLTDA Chairman endorsing such initiatives.
According to the petition, a letter dated September 9, 2025, titled “Endorsement of the Project on Promoting and Developing LGBTIQ Tourism in Sri Lanka” was allegedly signed by the Chairmen of the SLTDA and SLTPB. The letter is said to have recognised a proposal by the organisation Equal Ground to promote LGBTIQ-inclusive tourism and authorised coordination with other tourism sector agencies.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, SLTDA Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam, and several others have been named as respondents.
The petitioners state that the letter triggered public outrage and protests from religious leaders, including the Mahanayakes, the Archbishop, Buddhist clergy, nationalist organisations and political parties.
They said that following the backlash, the Prime Minister told Parliament that the Government had no plan to promote LGBTIQ tourism. However, they allege that the SLTPB Chairman has not withdrawn or amended the letter, leaving it in force.
The petitioners further claim that the Chairman appeared in the media defending the endorsement, which sparked more criticism.
They argue that the initiative violates constitutional and cultural principles, citing a 2024 Supreme Court determination on the Gender Equality Bill which recognised equality only on the basis of sex — male and female — and not on gender or gender identity.
The petitioners maintain that recognising or promoting gender identities outside the male-female binary is inconsistent with the Constitution and undermines the State’s duty under Article 9 to give Buddhism the foremost place while protecting the Buddha Sasana.
The petition has been filed through Attorney-at-Law H.M. Thillakarathna and will be supported by Senior Counsel Canishaka Witharana.
The Tourism Ministry recently said the government had not decided to run a specific tourism promotion campaign targeting LGBTQ tourists.
According to the Ministry, while such proposals-among others-had been presented for consideration, they were part of broader discussions aimed at reinforcing Sri Lanka’s image as a safe and welcoming destination for all travelers.
“Any future initiatives will be carefully evaluated within the framework of national tourism priorities and social harmony,” the Ministry said.
“Sri Lanka is a country that respects all genders and communities, along with their individual identities. This respect, however, should not be misinterpreted as an endorsement or promotion of any particular sexual behaviors or activities. Our intention is to create space for individuals-should they choose-to engage with globally recognized institutions and platforms where they can express their perspectives freely and safely,” Minister added
