Sri Lanka’s government is pressing ahead with a new Tourism Act aimed at overhauling the sector’s administrative framework, despite concerns raised by private sector stakeholders about potential bureaucratic hurdles.

A senior government official told Mirror Business that the draft legislation, which has already received Cabinet approval, is now advancing to the parliamentary stage. The proposed law will replace the nearly two-decade-old Tourism Act No. 38 of 2005 and consolidate the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, and Sri Lanka Convention Bureau under a new apex body, the National Tourism Commission.

At the same time, the Presidential Task Force appointed to fast-track the five-year Sri Lanka Tourism Development Programme is set to hold its second meeting in mid-October to continue streamlining the industry.

Industry reactions to the proposed Act have been mixed. Some private sector players are concerned that the new framework could involve them in lengthy government procedures, particularly regarding procurement for promotional activities. “They think when government institutions are involved, it takes a long time. So, we are not happy enough, especially with the procurement process,” the official explained.

The private sector has urged that responsibility for procurement be placed with the Sri Lanka Tourism Authority rather than channelled through the Tourism Ministry. However, this clashes with existing government regulations.

The newly formed Presidential Task Force, chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, is expected to address such coordination issues. The Task Force’s inaugural meeting focused on fostering collaboration between government agencies, while the next session will place greater emphasis on policy and implementation.

The official highlighted coordination challenges, noting that while the government advertises 3,000 acres of land available for investment, those lands often fall under other ministries such as Cultural Affairs or Forestry. “There should be collaboration,” he stressed.

With its authority to demand inter-agency cooperation and direct reporting to the President, the Task Force is expected to play a central role in cutting red tape and fast-tracking long-delayed initiatives to boost Sri Lanka’s tourism sector.