Tourism sector needs regulation to protect visitors, Says Entrepreneurs’ Association

16 November 2025 04:40 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 5 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

A A A

Join our WhatsApp Channel

Colombo, Nov. 16 (Daily Mirror) - The Small and Medium Scale Tourism Entrepreneurs Association has urged the government to introduce stronger regulations to safeguard tourists, following several recent incidents of harassment.

Addressing the media, Association President Samira Senaka de Silva said there is currently no dedicated authority to monitor or respond effectively to cases of harassment involving both local and foreign tourists.

He noted that multiple incidents reported in recent weeks have raised serious concerns about visitor safety. Referring to a widely circulated video showing a young man exposing himself to a female tourist, de Silva said the incident highlights a troubling gap in tourist protection.

“The youth in the video exposed his private parts to intentionally make the tourist uncomfortable. This raises serious questions about how safe female tourists are in this country. Authorities must investigate this incident thoroughly and ensure concrete measures are put in place to protect visitors,” he said.

De Silva said that Sri Lanka’s tourism industry must be properly regulated to prevent such behaviour and to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all travellers.

Comments - 5

Dr. Dee esquire Sunday, 16 November 2025 05:58 PM

When a ‘visitor’ come in and hires a totally unsafe ‘3 wheeler’ and goes around galavanting on his/her own, how do you expect any authority to protect them? Yes that low life scum should be arrested and sterilized so than similar scums would not be brought to this world, but how do you expect authorities to go behind each and every traveler? Have ever heard of such incidents happening when visitors come in organized tour groups?

0 2

Rip Winkle Sunday, 16 November 2025 07:43 PM

Heavy fines and some jail time ought to do the trick.

0 1

Regulation is a two way street! Sunday, 16 November 2025 08:16 PM

Regulation of tourism industry is most welcome; especially bogus tourist and illegal immigrants’ businesses! Government needs to safeguard our safety, livelihoods, and economy too! These people just siphon tourist money into their own pockets and foreign economies.

0 1

lion Monday, 17 November 2025 05:08 AM

One aspect the government should look in to is , the harassments received by foreign tourists from the three wheel drivers.

0 0

Sambo Monday, 17 November 2025 07:49 AM

Like beach boys are menace to tourism, the so-called guides are big hindrance to the industry. There should be only registered guides and no one else.

0 1

222

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.