{"id":152528,"date":"2025-10-12T16:48:02","date_gmt":"2025-10-12T23:48:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/?p=152528"},"modified":"2025-10-12T16:48:02","modified_gmt":"2025-10-12T23:48:02","slug":"we-are-still-awaiting-cancellation-of-the-lgbtq-tourism-letter-the-government-cannot-deceive-the-nation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2025\/10\/12\/we-are-still-awaiting-cancellation-of-the-lgbtq-tourism-letter-the-government-cannot-deceive-the-nation\/","title":{"rendered":"WE ARE STILL AWAITING CANCELLATION OF THE LGBTQ TOURISM LETTER \u2013 THE GOVERNMENT CANNOT DECEIVE THE NATION"},"content":{"rendered":"

by\u00a0Shenali Waduge\u00a0\u00b7<\/em><\/span><\/h2>\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

On 09 September 2025, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam issued an official letter endorsing and approving LGBTQ tourism in Sri Lanka. That letter was sent to the foreign-funded organization Equal Ground, giving them written official access to Sri Lanka\u2019s tourism industry, its staff, institutions, and policy framework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is not a misunderstanding\u201d. This is an official policy shift that violates the constitution & penal code and betrays national culture and religious values and opens the door to foreign ideological control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The letter is written evidence \u2014 and written evidence is what foreign lobbyists and international bodies use. As long as the letter stands, Sri Lanka can be presented abroad as having officially accepted LGBTQ tourism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Buddhika Hewawasam approved \u2013 in his own words<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Chairman\u2019s letter gives commitments in language that leaves no room for ambiguity: he gave SLTDA endorsement, stakeholder access, policy collaboration, DE&I training permission, and permission to escalate the proposal to top political leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His signed letter to Equal Ground, he clearly commits:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Official endorsement of LGBTQ tourism<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    We extend our support to the Project on Promoting and Developing LGBTIQ Tourism in Sri Lanka\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. Handing over access to Sri Lanka\u2019s tourism industry<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      We will facilitate your engagement with our stakeholders including travel agencies, hotels and hospitality partners\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      1. Policy-level partnership<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        We look forward to collaborating in developing inclusive tourism standards\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        1. Permission to introduce LGBTQ ideology into training<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          Your Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) training will be beneficial for industry readiness\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \n
          1. Lobbying opportunity with national leadership<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

            You may share this proposal with the Hon. President and Hon. Minister for further alignment\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            This is not tourism development. This is ideological infiltration of national policy using official letterhead. The chairman\u2019s written commitments are operational: they allow an NGO to liaise with operators, certify programmes, deliver training, and claim state partnership in international fora. That is why this letter must be cancelled in writing \u2014 not with camera-clips and press spin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            The People Rejected LGBTQ Tourism<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

            Religious leaders, political leaders and the general public have fully rejected LGBTQ tourism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Their words matter; they are the moral barometer of the nation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              \n
            • Most Venerable Mahanayake Theras of Asgiriya and Malwatte Chapters<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

              We strongly oppose any attempt to promote LGBTQ tourism or undermine the cultural and religious values of this country.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                \n
              • His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                We reject any foreign-funded effort that attempts to corrupt the culture of Sri Lanka.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                As a result of the strong disapproval voiced by the Cardinal & the Chief Prelates, the Government had no choice but to backtrack.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  \n
                • President Anura Kumara Dissanayake\u2014 after Chief Prelates escalated the matter, he met with them and reassured leaders that the Government would not move forward with any plan to specifically promote LGBTQ tourism.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                    \n
                  • Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                    The Government has not approved any form of LGBTQ tourism.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      \n
                    • Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath (also in charge of Tourism)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                      We will not favour or promote any group through tourism.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      If the Govt has truly rejected LGBTQIA tourism, the path forward is simple and immediate: issue a written cancellation of the SLTDA letter, suspend any active cooperation and place the Chairman under formal inquiry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Verbal statements alone do not nullify a written policy endorsement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Verbal Statements Mean Nothing \u2013 Written Policy Is What Matters<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Foreign-funded NGOs and LGBTQ lobbyists use documents to prove state endorsement\u201d, not speeches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      This SLTDA letter will now be used:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        \n
                      • In the UN system<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                      • In funding proposals<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                      • In courts in future<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                      • As proof that Sri Lanka has officially accepted LGBTQ tourism\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                        As long as this letter exists, Sri Lanka is legally committed to LGBTQ tourism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        This is why this letter must be formally rescinded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        Sri Lanka Welcomes Tourists \u2013 But We Refuse to Be Ideologically Colonized<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        Sri Lanka never discriminates against tourists. All visitors are welcome. All visitors are treated specially without exclusivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        But we will not:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          \n
                        • Divide tourists by identity\u201d as\u00a0gay tourists, transgender tourists, LGBTIQA tourists<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        • Use public funds or state platforms to market sexualized events as national tourism<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        • Permit training or DEI programs to become a vehicle for ideology in state services<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        • Allow our children, culture and faith to be used as testing grounds for foreign agendas<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                          Legal and Constitutional Position<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            \n
                          • Article 9\u2013 State must protect and foster Buddhism<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                          • Article 14(1)(e)\u2013 Morality must be preserved<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                          • Penal Code Sections 365 and 365A\u2013 Homosexuality & unnatural sex prohibited \u2013 Remain valid Sri Lankan law<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                          • Online Safety Act\u2013 Prevents sexual grooming and ideological harm to minors<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                          • Penal Code\u2013 Protects children from sexual exploitation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                            LGBTQ Tourism openly violates Sri Lankan law and moral order.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            DEMANDS OF THE NATION<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                            We, the people of Sri Lanka, demand that the Government act now:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              \n
                            1. Immediately instruct a written cancellationof the SLTDA Chairman\u2019s letter to Equal Ground (dated 09 September 2025).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                            2. Suspend the SLTDA Chairmanpending a formal inquiry into process, authority and any misuse of state resources.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                            3. Issue a Parliamentary statementconfirming Sri Lanka will not promote LGBTQ tourism as a special category.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                            4. Order an auditinto foreign-funded influence on tourism policy and any use of public funds for identity-based training or marketing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                            5. Adopt a Tourism Protection Charterthat places culture, children and public morality at the centre of tourism policy.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                              FINAL MESSAGE TO THE GOVERNMENT<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                              Sri Lanka is not for sale to foreign-funded NGOs. We will not allow rainbow colonization through tourism, education, media, or law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              The President and the Government must choose:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              Stand with the People<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              \u2014OR\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              Fall prey to foreign-funded ideological agents & their lobbies<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              CANCEL THE LETTER NOW \u2013 OR ANSWER TO THE NATION.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              Shenali D Waduge<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                              by\u00a0Shenali Waduge\u00a0\u00b7 On 09 September 2025, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam issued an official letter endorsing and approving LGBTQ tourism in Sri Lanka. That letter was sent to the foreign-funded organization Equal Ground, giving them written official access to Sri Lanka\u2019s tourism industry, its staff, institutions, and policy framework. This is not a misunderstanding\u201d. This is an official policy […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[47],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-152528","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-shenali-waduge"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/152528","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=152528"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/152528\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":152529,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/152528\/revisions\/152529"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=152528"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=152528"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=152528"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}