Writ petition against alleged LGBTIQ tourism promotion fixed for February 10

• Petitioners seek an order to stay the operation of a letter allegedly issued by the Chairman of the SLTDA

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda 

A writ petition 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 aimed at promoting and developing LGBTIQ tourism in Sri Lanka was yesterday fixed for hearing on February 10 by the Court of Appeal. 

When the matter was taken up before Court of Appeal President Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya, the Court was informed that the respondents had not yet been served with notices. The Court observed that any request for interim relief should be made only after notices are served on the respondents. 

Taking these facts into account, the Court fixed the petition for support on February 10. 

The petition had been filed by Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekara, President and Convener of the Federation of National Organisations, Dr. Wasantha Bandara, Secretary of the Patriotic National Movement, and two others. 

They are seeking an order staying the operation of a letter allegedly issued by the Chairman of the SLTDA endorsing such initiatives. 

According to the petitioners, they had discovered a letter dated September 9, 2025, written by the Chairman of the SLTDA and the SLTPB, titled “Endorsement of the Project on Promoting and Developing LGBTIQ Tourism in Sri Lanka.” The letter is said to have formally recognised a proposal by the organisation EQUAL GROUND to promote LGBTIQ-inclusive tourism and to have authorised coordination with other tourism sector entities to facilitate the project. 

The petitioners have named Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, SLTDA Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam, and several others as respondents. 

They state that the issuance of the said letter has sparked widespread public protests, drawing objections from the Mahanayakes and Buddhist clergy, the Archbishop, and a range of religious, patriotic, and nationalist organisations, as well as political parties. 

The petitioners further noted that in response to public outcry, the Prime Minister informed Parliament that the Government had no intention of promoting LGBTQ tourism in the country. 

However, the petitioners contend that despite this official clarification, the Chairman of the SLTPB has not withdrawn, revised, or amended the said letter, thereby maintaining its validity and enforceability. 

They also allege that the Chairman appeared on public media attempting to defend the endorsement, which, according to them, was met with further criticism. 

The petitioners argue that the initiative contravenes constitutional and cultural principles, pointing out that in its Special Determination on the Gender Equality Bill (2024), the Supreme Court held that the Constitution recognises equality only on the basis of sex (male and female), and not on gender or gender identity. 

They maintain that recognising or promoting “gender identity” encompassing individuals identifying outside the male-female binary, as represented by the terms LGBTQ, LGBTIQ, or LGBTQ+ — is inconsistent with the constitutional framework. 

Further, they claim that such initiatives undermine the State’s constitutional duty under Article 9 to give the foremost place to Buddhism and to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana, while respecting the religious freedoms guaranteed under Articles 10 and 14(1)(e) of the Constitution. 

Senior Counsel Canishka Witharana appeared for the petitioners.