Government Pushes Ahead with LGBTIQ Tourism Despite Opposition

Sri Lanka’s tourism board has dropped what some are calling a bold, even risky move — officially endorsing a project to promote LGBTIQ tourism. Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam has thrown his weight behind EQUAL GROUND’s initiative, calling it a chance to diversify markets and present Sri Lanka as an inclusive, welcoming destination.

EQUAL GROUND, led by activist Rosanna Flamer-Caldera, has been authorised to work directly with tour operators, hotels, guides, and training institutes to roll out diversity and inclusion programmes. They’ve also been invited to showcase the plan to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath.

Behind the scenes, there’s plenty of grumbling. Religious groups and conservative MPs are furious, warning this could trigger a cultural backlash. The gossip in political circles is that ministers are divided: some see this as a golden ticket to attract wealthy niche travellers, while others fear it will cost them votes in the villages.

Still, the government appears determined to push forward. The pitch is simple — more tourists, more revenue, and a chance to rebrand Sri Lanka on the global stage. The move also aligns neatly with the administration’s broader plan to tap new markets after years of tourism struggles.

The gossip takeaway? This is shaping up to be a litmus test of whether the AKD government is willing to spend political capital on modernising the country’s image, even if it means angering old guard voices. In the short term, it will be noisy. In the long term, it could either be a marketing masterstroke or a political minefield.