The Right to Equality and the Hospitality / Tourism Industry – Public statement signed by 109 individuals and 29 CSOs.

17th October 2025

 

“Some will oppose change.  They may invoke culture, tradition or religion to defend the status quo.  Such arguments have been used to try to justify slavery, child marriage, rape in marriage and female genital mutilation.  I respect culture, tradition and religion — but they can never justify the denial of basic rights”.

 

Ban Ki-moon – As quoted in the determination of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka on the Bill seeking to amend the Penal Code, SC SD No. 13/2023, 15 April 2013, message to Conference on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity

 

On 26 September 2025, the media reported that the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority had officially endorsed a project initiated by EQUAL GROUND to raise awareness on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) with stakeholders in the travel industry in order to promote and develop LGBTIQ tourism in the country. The coverage regarding an exchange of letters between the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and EQUAL GROUND met with heavy opposition, especially from nationalist groups and religious leaders, on the speculation that it would erode cultural values. In reaction to this, there were speeches that were made in Parliament, by members of the Government and Opposition, which could be viewed as weak, discriminatory and in some instances homophobic.

We, the undersigned, individuals and organisations, wish to express grave concern regarding the undermining of human rights standards and commitments in Sri Lanka with reference to this unfortunate turn of events. We also wish to impress upon the government the need for strong messaging against homophobic hate speech by actors at every level, along with expressed communications on the protection of equality and non-discrimination. The constitution of Sri Lanka places a duty upon the government to provide a safe space for every citizen who is entitled to equal protection of the law.

 

DEI programmes are not new in Sri Lanka, and have been conducted across the private sector for many years by many actors. Globally, DEI in the tourism and hospitality industry is key for the success of hotels, restaurants and other businesses, not limited to identifying and accessing ignored and niche markets. DEI is not just a buzzword; it is essential for promoting creativity, improving employee satisfaction, widening the customer base and enhancing customer experience.

 

DEI programmes are no different and speak with coherence to the fundamental rights chapter of Sri Lanka’s constitution, which has strong provisions of providing constitutional guarantees in relation to equality and non-discrimination. DEI initiatives go beyond accessing markets and creating an environment that is accepting of and open to all guests. Such initiatives can also empower workers in the hospitality industry and make their working environments feel inclusive and safe.

 

We the undersigned, are concerned by the misleading and conflicting messages coming from government officials relating to DEI policies that are counter-productive to the principles of equality and non-discrimination assured by the Constitution.

 

The current governing party, the National Peoples Power (NPP), had several commendable provisions in its election manifesto, which committed to expanding constitutional protections to ensure non-discrimination based on gender identities or sexual orientations. These included, but were not limited to:

• Revise discriminatory laws, including penal code provisions 365 and 365a that continue to criminalise consensual same sex relations between adults.
• developing a code of conduct and establishing standards for state officials on how to interact with gender identity groups.
• increase access to state services, including healthcare, legal assistance, social protection and justice for LGBTIQ+ communities.
• work towards eliminating harmful and stereotypical perceptions related to sexual orientation and gender identities.

 

These commitments in the NPP manifesto followed several discussions with LGBTIQ+ persons who highlighted their lived realities, experiences, and challenges. The community also mobilised support for the party’s progressive, human rights-oriented agenda in order to bring about a different political culture. It is, therefore, disappointing that the government seems to be disassociating itself from its own commitments. In this ambivalent context, violence and discrimination against LGBTIQ+ persons continue to thrive and hate speech against LGBTIQ+ is intensifying.

 

We therefore call on the government to prove its commitment to the promotion and protection of the human rights of LGBTIQ persons. We would also remind the government of the Supreme Court determination 13/2023, where many of the concerns raised against decriminalisation were taken up by the Courts and addressed. The government needs to be cognisant that the Court determined that a private member’s bill seeking to decriminalize same sex relations between consenting adults would in fact ensure that all persons would be equal before the law, and be entitled to the equal protection of the law, irrespective of their sexual orientation, and that the proposed Bill would in fact enhance the fundamental rights guaranteed to them under the constitution and enable them to live in society with dignity. Specific reflection on the court’s consideration of social and cultural ethics is required in the present context.

 

We would also draw the government’s attention to a letter from the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) dated 22 May 2025 to the Minister of Justice and National Integration, Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara. In its letter, the HRCSL called on the government to consider adopting the private members’ bill as a government legislative proposal to ensure its expeditious passage.

 

We urge the government to provide strong messages articulating its intent in meeting domestic, international and its own commitments towards protecting the rights of LGBTIQ+ persons, and also call on the government to condemn statements that seek to gain political mileage, by propagating homophobic hate speech against one of the most vulnerable communities in the country.

 

We urgently call for the passage of the draft bill that was considered by the Supreme Court in 2023 to be constitutional, to be enacted as law.

 

Signatories

 

Individuals:

 

 

1. Abilesha Segar
2. Ajitha A.
3. Anithra Varia
4. Anusha David
5. Aritha Wickramasinghe
6. Ashila Dandeniya
7. B Gowthaman
8. Balasingham Skanthakumar
9. Bhavani Fonseka
10. Caryll Tozer, Rights Activist
11. Channaka Jayasinghe
12. Chintaka Rajapakse
13. Chulani Kodikara
14. Damitha De Silva
15. Deanne Uyangoda
16. Deepa Fernando
17. Dileepa Witharana, Open University
18. Dimithri Wijesinghe
19. Dinushka De Silva
20. Dushyanthi Mendis – University of Colombo
21. Francis Raajan
22. Gameela Samarasinghe
23. Genny Laverty
24. Gowrie Ponniah
25. Hans Billimoria
26. Hemantha K.
27. K.M. Thushara Manoj
28. Jade Jayawardena
29. Jasintha Subasinghe
30. Prof Jayadeva Uyangoda
31. Jeevantha Pieris
32. Joanne Senn
33. Kaushalya Perera, University of Colombo
34. Kounthini R.
35. Kumudini Samuel
36. Kusal Perera, Journalist
37. Kuvenitha S.
38. Lakshman Gunasekara
39. Laveena Hasanthi
40. Leana Pieris
41. Marisa de Silva
42. Mariyarosari S.
43. Melani Manel Perera
44. Melanie Gunathilaka
45. Misha’ari Weerabangsa
46. Nagulan Nesiah
47. Dr Natasha Balendra
48. Nehama Jayewardene, Attorney-at-Law
49. Nimal Perera
50. Nirmala M.
51. Nirmala T.
52. Niththika S.
53. Nivanthini S.
54. Selvaratnam
55. Paba Deshapriya
56. Peter Rezel – Chartered Accountant
57. Prashanthi Mahindaratne, Attorney-at-Law
58. Rahman A.
59. Rajany Rajeswary
60. Rajany, Feminist/Activist
61. Ralston Weinman, Christian Workers Fellowship- CWF
62. Ramani Muttettuwegama, Attorney at Law
63. Raveendran V.
64. Rita Fernando
65. Rohini Hensman, writer and independent scholar
66. Rosanna Flamer-Caldera
67. Ratnajeevan H. Hoole
68. Sabra Zahid
69. Dr Sakuntala Kadirgamar
70. Sampath Samarakoon – Editor: vikalpa.org
71. Sanjit De Silva
72. Sarala Emmanuel
73. Sarankan K.
74. Saththiyaseelan K.
75. Selvaraja Rajasegar – Editor of Maatram.org
76. Sepali Kottegoda
77. Shamila Rathnasooriya
78. Dr Shermal Wijewardene, University of Colombo
79. Shamini V.
80. Sharanya Sekaram
81. Sharika Jayewardene
82. Shirani Cooray
83. Shyamala Gomez, Centre for Equality and Justice
84. Siritunga Jayasuriya, United Socialist Party
85. Srinath Perera, Attorney at Law, Convenor – North South Solidarity
86. Suganthini S.
87. Suvendrini Thambar
88. Sujatha J.
89. Sumika Perera
90. Sunanda Deshapriya, Editor, SriLanka Brief
91. Sunethra Bandaranaike
92. Suren D. Perera, Attorney-at-Law
93. Thadini Liyanage
94. Tharindi Devasurendra
95. Thayalini J.
96. Theresa Rajapakse
97. Shamini S.
98. Dr. Thiyagaraja Waradas
99. Thyagi Ruwanpathirana, Researcher
100. Tisaranee Gunasekara
101. Udaya Kalupathirana
102. Velusamy Weerasingham
103. Vicky Brohier
104. Vijeyanila K.
105. Widya Kumarasinghe
106. Wijayananda Jayaweera
107. Yamindra Perera
108. Yazmin Yousuf
109. Dr.Deepika Udagama

 

 

Organisations:

• Centre for Equality and Justice
• Christian Workers Fellowship- CWF
• Community Welfare and Development Fund – CWDF Lanka
• Dabindu Collective
• Dabindu Collective Union
• Delete Nothing
• EQUAL GROUND
• Everystory Sri Lanka
• Heart To Heart Lanka (Organisation)
• Human Rights Law Chambers
• INFORM Human Rights Documentation Centre
• Janawaboda Kendraya
• Law & Society Trust
• Movement for Land and Agriculture Reform (MONLAR)
• Movement for Plantation Peoples’ Land Rights (MPPLR)
• North South Solidarity
• Shramabhimani Kendraya
• Social Institute for Development of Plantation Sector (SIDPS)
• Stand Up Movement Lanka
• Stand Up Workers’ Union
• The Grassrooted Trust
• V – Her Advocacy and Feminism’s Action Platform- Jaffna
• United Socialist Party
• Upcountry Civil Society Collective (UCSC)
• Vallamai – Movement for Social Change – Jaffna
• Women and Media Collective
• Women’s Resource Centre
• Women’s Solidarity Network
• YellowDot Community