Important TDL Notice 14.07.2025  

Discriminatory Practices (Foreigners-Only Policies) by Tourist Establishments  

Vehicle Import Tax Release Notice  

Online Entry Permit System for National Parks 

To avoid congestion at national parks, an online system has been introduced to streamline the process of obtaining entry permits for popular parks such as Yala, Wilpattu, Udawalawe, Horton Plains, Minneriya, and Kaudulla.
For more details please visit http://www.dwc.gov.lk/

 

Liquor License Renewal Notice For 2025  

 

Guidelines to all SLTDA registered Hospitality Sector Establishments on carrying out Promotions under the - Happy Hour 

Opportunity for Migrant Returnees in Tourism MSMEs. 

To all SLTDA Registered MSME Tourism Service Providers (Accommodation sector)

We are pleased to inform you of a new project implemented by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Organization for Migration (IMO), with funding support from the Government of Japan. This initiative targets migrant returnees who engage in Sri Lanka Tourism Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs in the accommodation sector) registered with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).

The goal of this project is to support migrant returnees and communities in vulnerable situations by uplifting their livelihoods and enhancing their skills. It will provide comprehensive support to 25 selected MSMEs in the tourism accommodation sector, including training, mentoring, coaching, and other essential assistance. This opportunity is available to tourism MSMEs operating in the districts of Matara, Galle, Nuwara Eliya, Jaffna, Kurunegala, Puttalam, and Trincomalee.

If you or a member of your family is a migrant returnee or in a vulnerable situation, please fill out and submit the online application form provided herewith on or before 15th July 2024 (https://ee.kobotoolbox.org/vDYnj799). Should you require further details regarding this project, feel free to contact the project coordinating staff at the email address below:
Email Address: returnmigranttourismmsme@gmail.com

Thank you
Chairman
Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority

Implementation of Concessionary Electricity Tariff for SLTDA-Registered Accommodation Providers. 

Facilitation for Addressing Social Media and Cyber Crime Complaints.  

Request of SLTDA registered licensed Guide services.  

Please refer the attached letter issued by the Director General of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority.

Notice to all Tourism Service Providers,
Ensuring Equal Treatment for All Tourists (international & Domestic).  

We would like to bring to your attention an important matter regarding the treatment of tourists visiting Sri Lanka. Recently, we have received several complaints from local tourists regarding instances where certain service providers have displayed signs indicating that their services are exclusively for foreigners. Additionally, there have been reports of promotions through digital/social media platforms that seem to target only foreign visitors.

As you are aware, all tourist service providers registered with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority are required to offer their services equally to all tourists, regardless of their nationality or origin. This includes providing services to domestic tourists, who are also an integral part of our tourism industry.

Therefore, we kindly request your cooperation in ensuring that all tourists, including domestic visitors, are treated with equality and fairness. Discriminatory practices towards any group of tourists are not acceptable and may result in the cancellation of your registration with the Authority.

We value your partnership in promoting tourism in Sri Lanka and trust that you will uphold the principles of inclusivity and equality in your operations.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us.

Notice on 2024 SLTDA License Renewal 

We are pleased to announce that the renewal period for licenses will now be extended until March 31, 2024, for those who have already submitted the complete set of documents to the TDL unit before February 29, 2024. This extension aims to ensure uninterrupted service for all stakeholders who comply with the renewal requirement. It also provides ample time for the completion of the renewal process.

 

Free Visa Expiry for Russian and Ukrainian Tourists 

 

Free visa extension for Russian and Ukrainian tourists expire on 23-Feb-2024. Grace period of 14 days, which will expire on 07-Mar-2024, granted for them to extend visa following the formal process or arrange the return to their country. Please check with Department of Immigration and Emigration for further details. https://www.immigration.gov.lk/

Notice about Yala Entrance 

The Yala Tourism Zone and the Yala Hotelliers Association:

• The Park Warden of Yala NP has requested me to inform you that the Park Authorities have issued registration stickers to safari vehicles entering Yala NP. There are 475 registered safari vehicles with this identification sticker. After the safari jeep driver training program, there are around 750 certified drivers who have been issued with permanent ID cards. Those who participated in the final training conducted on January 18th and 19th have been issued a temporary letter that is valid until January 31st.

• The Park Warden wants me to request that you check whether the safari jeeps you use, ARE registered with the park authorities, AND the driver has an ID confirming that he has participated in the training. If both requirements are satisfied, the driver and vehicle will be permitted into the park, even if there is no wildlife department guide. If either of the above is NOT met, the driver can enter the park ONLY if there is a DWC guide accompanying each vehicle. As the park authorities have a limited number of DWC guides, your guests will be inconvenienced if there are no guides, as they will have to wait till a guide returns from a safari.

• Please ensure that you follow these guidelines to minimize inconvenience to your guests.

• Please note that there will be no exceptions to this rule.

Sumith Pilapitiya,
Chairman of the Committee appointed to improve the quality of wildlife tourism in Yala.

Annual License Renewal for Tourist Guides (2024-2025) 

The SLTDA expresses gratitude for tourist guides' dedication to exceptional service. In response to busy seasons, the annual license renewal period is extended to two years from January 1, 2024. Acknowledging challenges, the validity of 2023 licenses is extended until January 31, 2024. Tourist guides are urged to renew promptly for 2024-2025, ensuring uninterrupted service and supporting Sri Lanka's tourism industry. Your cooperation is appreciated.

-Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority-

Notice about Liquor License

Excise Department Media Release

Important Notice - Annual Renewal for 2024

 

Hereby we inform you of the upcoming renewal process for establishments and services registered with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) for the year 2024. The renewal process is set to commence in October 2023. We also wish to bring to your attention the procedure for issuance of liquor recommendations for eligible tourism services for the same year.

During the last few years, due to conditions that prevailed in the country, SLTDA made recommendations for the renewal of liquor license ignoring established procedures which included ignoring having a valid SLTDA license for the current year. - The Excise Department granted liquor licenses based on the prior year's SLTDA liquor recommendations.

However, for the year 2024, in accordance with legal requirements, neither SLTDA nor the Excise Department will grant extensions for liquor licenses, as has been the practice in previous years. This means that both customers and establishments must obtain their SLTDA licenses for the year 2024 to continue enjoying the privilege of holding a liquor license beyond 2023.

To ensure a seamless continuation of your liquor license for 2024, please take note of these key points:

 

• SLTDA License Renewal: All registered establishments and services must renew their SLTDA license for the year 2024.


• Deadline: The deadline for SLTDA license renewal is December 31, 2023. Failure to renew your license by this date will result in the discontinuation of your liquor license for the year 2024.


• Renewal Process: Detailed renewal instructions will be provided in official communications from SLTDA. Please follow these instructions carefully to ensure a smooth process, accessible through the SLTDA website and the OTBLS.

 

We earnestly encourage all stakeholders to adhere to these vital updates and deadlines to guarantee the continuation of your liquor license for 2024. To facilitate the uninterrupted operation of your tourism services, we kindly request that you renew your license in a timely manner, thus avoiding any last-minute inconveniences.

We sincerely appreciate your cooperation in this matter and greatly value your ongoing partnership with SLTDA. We are confident of another prosperous year ahead and remain at your service for any queries or elucidations.

Best regards,
Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority

 

 

Renewal of SLTDA License for 2023 & Liquor License

Attention to all registered tourism establishments,

 

• If you have not yet renewed your Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) license for the year 2023, we urge you to take immediate action.


• With our collective efforts to rejuvenate Sri Lanka's tourism industry during these trying times and in collaboration with the Excise Department, SLTDA has now introduced an undertaking letter. This letter is designed to ensure a smooth renewal process for your liquor license for the remainder of 2023.


• The attached letter, provided for your reference, outlines the vital commitments you need to fulfil. Please note that failing to renew by 31st December 2023 could lead to the cancellation of your SLTDA registration and liquor license.


• Additionally, the SLTDA will not recommend the liquor license for the year 2024 unless renewed on or before 31st December 2023. To avoid any last-minute rush, we kindly advise you to initiate the renewal process from the month of October.

We greatly appreciate your cooperation in revitalizing the tourism industry. Let's collaborate for a prosperous future.
Best regards,
Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority

 

 

 

රජගල පුරාවිද්‍යා පරිශ්‍රය සදහා නව සංචාරක ප්‍රවේශ පත්‍රය නිකුත් කිරීම.

උක්ත කාරණය සම්බන්ධයෙන් මධ්‍යම සංස්කෘතික අරමුදලේ අධ්‍යක්ෂ ජනරාල්ගේ අංක CCF/DG/Gen/2023 දරණ 2023 පෙබරවාරි මස 28 දිනැති ලිපිය ඔබගේ දැනගැනීම සදහා මේ සමග යොමු කරමි.

ස්තුතියි.
ශ්‍රී ලංකා සංචාරක සංවර්ධන අධිකාරිය

Advice for visiting Piduruthalagala

Please fill the form in the following link and send to the relevant authorities by email to get the approval.
https://www.defence.lk/Applications/
Emails to send a Form: modclearance@yahoo.com/ modmlobranch@gmail.com

For further information, please contact 011-2430860 up to 69. Ext:10560.

Renewal of Excise License issued to SLTDA approved Establishments for the year 2023

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority is always take steps to extend its help to the registered tourism service providers.  Confirming the facts, we  are happy to inform you that the Excise Department will renew your liquor license for three months starting from 01st January 2023 as an incentive to continue your tourism business on our request. 

The request sent to the Department of Excise is attached herewith for your information.

This facility will offer to the establishments registered and/or renewed with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority in the years 2021, and 2022, subject to the rules and regulations of the Excise Department.

If you are awaiting to renew your liquor license from the Department of Excise for the above period, you are kindly advised to send your request to the Excise Department and pay the respective fees, including stamp duties, for each extension as per rules and regulations of the Excise Department.

We wish you success in your tourism business!

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority team...

Renewal For 2023- Now Open

We are happy to inform you that our online system now opens for renewal (2023) of Licenses registered with Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority.

Hope you would take this message as an opportunity to renew your Tourism Business License for 2023 and continue the benefits enjoy at present.

First, please upload Financial Information to the TDL Section and upload the Renewal Document to the online system to renew your License for the year 2023.

Your single effort will contribute to uplift the National Economy. Thus, we wish all the success in your business endeavours.

We are at your service.
Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority.

Notice for Tourist Drivers

THE SOFT LIQUOR PERMISSION FOR SLTDA REGISTERED TOURIST ESTABLISHMENTS

The government notification issued on 28th July 2022 on excise notification 05/2022 issued by the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies, has granted the approval to issue the soft liquor licenses to all the Tourist accommodation & service providers registered with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).

Accordingly, SLTDA facilitates you by granting the recommendation letters to the Department of Excise for those who have formally or provisionally registered with SLTDA and have not obtained any liquor license yet from the Excise Department of Sri Lanka. As a relief measure, SLTDA decided to issue soft liquor recommendation letters to all registered establishments upon receipt of your justifiable request to the following relevant subject officer as per the attached format by email

Category	Subject Officer
Guest House	nalinh@srilanka.travel
Hostel	jeyakrishnanm@srilanka.travel
Camping Site	anupa@srilanka.travel
Bungalow/Heritage Home/Heritage Bungalow	varnan@srilanka.travel
Restaurant	nethmis@srilanka.travel
Tourist Friendly Eating Place	anupa@srilanka.travel
Food Court	nethmis@srilanka.travel
Heritage Hotel	asujeewa@srilanka.travel
Themed Accommodation	priyangak@srilanka.travel
Home Stay	jeyakrishnanm@srilanka.travel
Tourist Apartment Hotel	anupa@srilanka.travel

 

Notice to the Tourism Industry

Golden Paradise Visa

Reply to the Business Times Article

Leasing of UCHCHAMUNAI Island in Kalpitiya

Official Announcement

Notice to the Tourists who wish to use Trains (Trains will not be available on 06.05.2022)

Sri Lanka Tourism Global Communication (GCC)

Tourist Arrivals in 2022 (April 01 to April 30)

Top 20 Markets In 1st January to 30th April 2022

Tourism Travel App

Global Recognitions 2020 - 2022

Increased Tourism Registrations

Interview with Tourists about Sri Lanka

 

Fuel Priority Pass

Message for Tour Operator Partners

Announcement to international Tourist - Sri Lanka Remains Safe and Open for International Tourists

Granting a new moratorium of 2 years to pay the arrears of TDL

The Cabinet of Ministers granted their approval to implement the attached recommendations for Tourism Development Levy (TDL) payments.

Tourist Arrivals in 2022 (Mar 01 to Mar 29)

Tourist Arrivals in 2022 (Mar 01 to Mar 27)

Tourist Arrivals in 2022 (Jan 01 to Mar 20)

Top 20 Markets In 1st January to 15th March 2022

On 10th march 2022, after 54 years Ratmalana International Airport resumed its operations.

Rules issued under the provisions of the Monetary Law Act, No.58 of 1949 (MLA), mandating Accommodation categories & all the Tourism Service Providers to accept payments from Non-Residents in Foreign Exchange

We would like to draw your kind attention to the Rules issued under Section 10 (c) read with Section 69 of the MLA (the rules) by the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka as published in the Gazette (Extraordinary) Notification No. 2263/41 dated 21.01.2022 (Attached annex 01).

1. Under the subject rules, all the accommodation categories & other tourism service providers registered with and licensed by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) are required to accept payments in respect of services rendered to persons resident outside Sri Lanka only in foreign exchange and deposit such foreign currency into a Business Foreign Currency Account of the hotel service provider or sell to a licensed bank within three business days, with effect from 21st January 2022.


2. The exchange rate offered by accommodation categories & other tourism service providers when they pay any balance in Sri Lanka Rupees to the persons resident outside Sri Lanka, should be in par with the exchange rate offered by the licensed banks in Sri Lanka.


3. The accommodation categories & other tourism service providers should ensure the full and strict compliance with the “Acceptance of foreign exchange within Sri Lanka by Hotel Service Providers Rules, No.01 of 2022 issued under the Monitory Law Act No.58 of 1949.


4. Further, in accordance with rules, all service providers shall require to report on foreign exchange so accepted to Director- Finance of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, as per the reporting format specified in Annex 02 with a copy to Department of Foreign Exchange.


5. We request you to report information on foreign currency receipts (as per attached annex 02 format), on monthly basis by 7th day of the following month, commencing from January 2022.

IMEX 2022 in Frankfurt

The Ella Odyssey - Get Onboard from kandy to witness a magical train ride to Ella.!

Acceptance foreign exchange within Sri Lanka by Hotel Service Providers rule No 01 of 2022

Top 20 Markets In 1st January to 27th February 2022

SLCB MICE Tourism Activities Comparison 2018 & 2019 with 2020 & 2021

Discrimination Against Locals

Top 20 Markets In February 2022

Tourist Arrivals in 2022

AIRPORT REPRESENTATIVES/GUIDES/DRIVERS

• We have received numerous complaints with regard to the conduct and personal grooming of tour representatives, freelance guides and drivers who handle airport transfers.
• It is alleged that there are some who present themselves shabbily dressed and also behave in unbecoming ways. This we believe will tarnish the good image of Sri Lanka Tourism.
• As the first contact tourists find on arrival, it is of paramount importance for these representatives to do their utmost to create a better first impression.
• We wish to request all personnel involved in handling the airport transfers to present themselves in proper attire and to conduct themselves in a manner that will uphold the good image of the country.
• We solicit the support of all stakeholders by adhering to these best practices, thus making a positive contribution towards our task of the revivification of Sri Lanka Tourism.

Short Term Training Programs

Top 20 Markets In 2022

Tourist Arrivals in 2022

Wellness Tourism Capacity Development

Wellness Tourism Capacity Development Survey

SRI LANKA TOURISM STRATGIC ACTION PLAN - 2022 TO 2025

National Holiday Resort Improvements and Upgrades

Top 20 Market January 2022

Tourist Arrivals in 2022

Tourist Arrivals in 2022

Tourist Arrivals in 2022

Kalpitiya Island Resort

Tourist Arrivals from 2019 to 2021

Tourist Arrivals in 2022

Sri Lanka's Successful Vaccination Drive

90 Million Global Reach for Sri Lanka Tourism in 2021

Tourist Arrivals in 2021

Sri Lanka's Successful Vaccination Drive

Extension for the Financial Reliefs for Tourism Sector Service Providers

Renewal of Excise License issued to SLTDA approved Establishments

We are happy to inform you that Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) has decided to recommend,  to continue with the liquor license for 2022  to all tourist establishments those who registered and renewed with SLTDA for the year 2019, 2020 & 2021.  This initiative is to encourage your effort of serving tourists  and grant relief to continue with your business during difficult times  due to the prolonged pandemic. We trust you would continue with valued tourist service/s maintaining required quality standards.  

However, the SLTDA has decided to revoke the recommendation of liquor license holders who do not take any action to renew their SLTDA license on or before May 31, 2022. Thus, please take necessary steps to renew your SLTDA license before 31 May, if it is pending. 

 

EXPO DUBAI 2020-The World 's Greatest Show

Sri Lanka Tourism Travel & Tourism Industry Circular for Expo Participation

Sri Lanka's vaccination drive on track

Sri Lanka Tourism Building a Strategic Blueprint

 

Media Notice Immigration Department - 08/07/2021

Championing National Policy Priorities -  25/05/2021

Directions No. 05 of 2021 Under Foreign Exchange Act -  18/03/2021