Very Lame & disappointing attempt by Chairman SLTDA to defend his Letter endorsing Homosexual Tourism in Sri Lanka.

 

When a government official puts pen to paper on official letterhead, it is no small matter. Words have meaning. Subject headings have meaning. Endorsements have meaning. A signed letter cannot be swept aside with excuses on camera. On 9 September 2025, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), Buddhika Hewawasam, issued an official letter to Equal Ground, an NGO lobbying for LGBTQIA rights in Sri Lanka. The letter, on SLTDA letterhead, carries a subject heading that is unambiguous: “Subject: Endorsement of [Equal Ground’s LGBTQIA Tourism Project]”

 

That single line alone is proof of policy endorsement of LGBTQIA tourism.

 

Yet, in a recent public video, Chairman Hewawasam attempted to tell the people that his letter has been “misunderstood” and that Sri Lanka Tourism “does not intend to promote LGBTQIA tourism.”

Video link

https://www.facebook.com/sinhala.adaderana.lk/videos/1114696384120858/?rdid=lbUmfW4HnPbSg7Bo#

The Letter:

 

It is a pity the media questioning him could not even point out basic facts and rebut his attempt to mislead the public. The contradiction is glaring and cannot be ignored.

 

What the Letter shows

 

1. Equal Ground Requested:

• Recognition of LGBTQIA tourism as a legitimate tourism segment.
• Training and sensitization of tourism officials and stakeholders.
• Partnership with the SLTDA for promotion.
• Endorsement to give the project legitimacy, including use in international platforms.

 

Interpretation: Taken together, these requests were not a courtesy gesture; they amount to full-scale institutional adoption of a social agenda:

• Reframing Sri Lanka’s tourism identity by creating an LGBTQIA “segment.”
• Embedding ideology into state apparatus through staff training and sensitization.
• Elevating Equal Ground from a private NGO to apolicy-level actor with SLTDA backing.
• Securing international legitimacy to advance their agenda globally.

Note: Training Sri Lanka tourism officials in DEI would obligate them to actively accommodate LGBTQIA tourists, including constructing gender-neutral restrooms in hotels, resorts, and public tourist sites at taxpayer expense, as well as funding recurring DEI training programs for staff across the tourism sector.

 

Officials would be required to use preferred pronouns (distorting standard English usage), adapt room allocations and bookings for same-sex couples, design LGBTQIA-focused promotional materials, conduct sensitivity briefings, and ensure all services are explicitly non-discriminatory. Additionally, they would have to manage LGBTQIA-specific event logistics, certify hotels as LGBTQIA-friendly in promotional campaigns, and coordinate same-sex wedding services — all entirely outside SLTDA’s traditional mandate, with a significant portion of staff time devoted to a very small segment of tourists, effectively prioritizing an agenda that risks undermining national culture and social norms.

 

ALL OF THIS WOULD BE AT SRI LANKAN TAXPAYERS’ EXPENSE, while Sri Lanka’s Constitution recognizes only two genders — male and female, and sexual lifestyles by choice, including LGBTQIA identities, are not a fundamental human right, though all citizens retain constitutional protections.

 

In short, this is a case of institutional capture of a national tourism authority by a private NGO, transforming SLTDA from a promoter of cultural and natural tourism into a partner in sexual-identity tourism.

 

2. Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam Committed by:

• Issuing a formal letter ofendorsement on SLTDA letterhead.
• Extending recognition of an NGO agenda as part of official tourism policy “We recognize the potential of this project to diversity our tourism markets and position Sri Lanka as a safe, inclusive and welcoming destination for all travelers” (haven’t we been doing this since 1980s)
• Confirming SLTDA’ssupport for Equal Ground’s tourism project – SLTDA is framing LGBTQIA tourism as a legitimate & strategic segment. Worlds like “safe, inclusive and welcoming” indicate policy-level acceptance that obligates officials to implement measures with LGBTQIA demands.
• Agreeing toawareness, training, and promotional initiatives – When Chairman Hewawasam writes “Sri Lanka Tourism is pleased to endorse this initiative and grant you the authority to liaise with relevant stakeholders in the tourism industry, including tour operators, hotels, training institutes, guides, and drivers, to conduct the proposed DE&I training and awareness programs” – this binds SLTDA to operational implementation in partnership with the NGO. It’s a pity the media could not even question this as the line commits tax-payer funded infrastructure and staff time for an agenda outside SLTDA’s traditional cultural & natural tourism mandate.
• Chairman Heawawasam also writes “We look forward to working closely with Equal Ground to ensure the success of this initiative”. When even top global companies are cancelling sponsorships for Pride events & LGBTQIA propaganda in view of suffering profit losses due to boycotts – can Chairman Hewawasam explain how revenue will increase against likely decline when social diseases and other factors turn revenue bringing tourists away.

 

Interpretation:

• Official Sanction:Private lobbying converted into government endorsement.
• Policy Capture:SLTDA aligned with Equal Ground’s ideological agenda, granting institutional legitimacy.
• Operational Commitment:Government resources, staff time, and platforms committed to LGBTQIA tourism.
• International Signal:Equal Ground can now cite Sri Lanka Tourism as a partner for UN submissions, donor reports, and diplomatic lobbying.

 

Conclusion: He cannot now naively claim “this is not what I meant.” Holding a portfolio as Chairman, he should understand the request, the letter, and the likely outcome before issuing it.

 

Attempted Whitewash: DEI and Gender Equity Cannot Hide LGBTQIA Endorsement

The Chairman’s verbal address is an attempt to replace explicit references to LGBTQIA tourism with vague terms like “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)” or “Gender Equity” does not erase the endorsement.

 

In fact, it exposes the very agenda he is trying to hide. DEI programs globally are inherently tied to sexual orientation and gender identity, often prioritizing LGBTQIA visibility and creating frameworks for special rights. Similarly, introducing “gender equity” as justification broadens the scope superficially, but in practice reinforces LGBTQIA-focused policies, including recognition of non-binary and transgender identities.

 

By replacing explicit LGBTQIA references with DEI and gender equity, the Chairman is not neutralizing the endorsement — he is simply using euphemisms to hide the same obligations. Training, infrastructure changes, promotional programs, and international marketing for LGBTQIA tourism will still be implemented at taxpayer cost, making the endorsement unavoidable and public funds liable.

 

Governance / Legal Questions

• Mandate:On what legal grounds can SLTDA recognize or endorse sexual-identity tourism, when Penal Code Sections 365 & 365A criminalize homosexual acts, and the Constitution recognizes only male/female gender?
• Authority:Was this unilateral, or approved by the Tourism Board, Minister, or Cabinet?
• Transparency:Why no public consultation, parliamentary debate, or Cabinet circular?
• Precedent:If one NGO succeeds, what stops dozens of others from lobbying for niche “identity” tourism, fragmenting Sri Lanka’s brand?
• Conflict:Does this align with national policy on equality, or create special rights for one group?

 

Deduction: By issuing this letter, the Chairman gave policy legitimacy to a private NGO without transparency or legal authority, creating a dangerous precedent for private lobbying dictating national tourism policy.

 

Consequences Going Forward

 

Having issued this letter, SLTDA is now bound to:

 

1. Implement Training & Sensitization

• Conduct LGBTQIA “awareness” programs for staff, hoteliers, tour operators.
• Spend public funds on modules outside SLTDA’s core mandate.

2. Promote LGBTQIA Tourism Internationally

• Market Sri Lanka as an LGBTQIA-friendly destination.
• Allocate budget and personnel to highlight sexual identity as a tourism product.

3. Formal Partnership with Equal Ground

• Continue cooperation with the NGO, channeling state resources and providing legitimacy.

4. Adjust Policy to Reflect Endorsement

• Reinterpret “equality” to mean LGBTQIA inclusion.
• Justify this endorsement in future reports, plans, and Cabinet briefings.

5. Risk Legal & Political Conflict

• Contradict Penal Code 365 & 365A.
• Risk public backlash for prioritizing a niche agenda over national tourism priorities.
• Face accountability for overstepping mandate.

 

Historical Context: Sri Lanka Tourism Since the 1980s

For over four decades, Sri Lanka has hosted millions of tourists of every nationality, religion, and background. Never once was there a demand to segregate or categorize tourists by sexual identity. Packages were based on destination, activities, and experiences — tourists freely chose what appealed to them.

 

If Sri Lanka seeks niche tourism, it should emulate models like the Maldives, focusing on high-value markets — luxury resorts, diving, wellness retreats, eco-tourism — which genuinely increase revenue.

 

This NGO-driven agenda forces the state to prioritize a niche sexual-identity tourism segment over core cultural, natural, and high-value tourism priorities. It sets a precedent for private lobbying to dictate national policy, with potential public health consequences and misuse of taxpayer resources.

 

The subject line of the Chairman’s letter says endorsement.

The body of the letter says support, partnership, and recognition.

Yet on camera, he claims no endorsement was given.

Mr. Chairman, either you cannot read your own English, or you are lying to the public.

Which is it?

 

If the Chairman truly believes the letter was misunderstood, he must immediately issue a formal clarification to Equal Ground nullifying the endorsement, publicly state in writing that no taxpayer funds will be used for sexual-identity tourism, and reaffirm that SLTDA’s mandate remains cultural and natural tourism, not NGO-driven social agendas.”

 

Sri Lanka’s tourism deserves leadership that promotes its heritage, natural beauty, and culture — not one that bows to private lobbying and then denies its own written words.

 

 

Shenali D Waduge