THASL up in arms against ‘No locals allowed’ policy

The apex hotel association in the country yesterday expressed dismay over ‘no locals allowed’ policy of certain hotels in the country, who are not the members of their association.

“The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) is extremely disturbed by the recent increase in incidents where local tourists have been barred from entering certain hotels and restaurants around the country.

We strongly condemn the ‘no locals allowed’ stand taken by these establishments which are not members of our Association,” THASL said in a statement. 

The Association also urged the authorities to take immediate action against the owners of hotels and restaurateurs who seem to be practising a totally unacceptable form of ‘hospitality’.

“This practice involves a type of discrimination which is not only unethical but is also a clear violation of the principle of equality of treatment enshrined in the Constitution of Sri Lanka,” THASL said.

Owners of certain hotels in the Sri Lanka’s southern coast in their defence had said that their ‘foreigners only’ policy was prompted by the unruly behaviour of some local visitors after a few drinks, who become a nuisance to the hotel staff as well as to the other visitors.