Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has clarified that the government was not in support of any special tourism promotions for the LGBTQ community.
PM Amarasuriya acknowledged that a letter had been issued by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairman, Buddhika Hewawasam, in this regard.
She further said that the tourism minister has briefed the SLTDA Chairman on the government’s stance on the matter and has provided the necessary advice in this regard.
“The letter itself states that any such event should be conducted after notifying the government and the relevant subject minister. This proves that the notice had been issued without being discussed with the government. Previously, the President and Tourism Minister had also publicly announced the government’s stance on the matter,” she said.
Stating that the letter was issued by the SLTDA Chairman and not the government, PM Amarasuriya said there was no need to cause an issue using this matter.
She added that if the SLTDA Chairman had violated any laws, then legal action would be initiated against him, pointing out that, however, the President and subject minister have addressed the matter, revealing the government’s stance and that there was nothing more to do.
PM Harini Amarasuriya made the remarks while responding to a question raised by opposition MP Kavinda Jayawardena in Parliament today. (Newswire)