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

Clarification on Mandatory Covid 19 Insurance for Tourists

Official Announcement

කෝවිඩ් වසංගත තත්වය හමුවේ විදේශ සංචාරකයන්ට අනිවාර්‍ය කොට ඇති රක්ෂණ ක්‍රමය පිළිබඳ පැහැදිළි කිරීම

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

One-off Payment Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Registered Tourist Guides

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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.

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Tourist Arrivals in 2022 (Mar 01 to Mar 27)

Tourist Arrivals in 2022 (Jan 01 to Mar 20)

Sri Lanka Tourism has requested from the relevant ministries to grant priority on facilitating with essential fuel and the gas supply to the Tourism establishments, services, individuals & associations who are registered with Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority.

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

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

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

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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.

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Extension of validity period of Tourist Guide Licenses

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) is now in the process to introducing the new tourist guide identity card system for all categories of SLTDA registered Tourist Guides from this year (2022). we anticipate finalizing the issuance of ID cards for all qualified tour guides over the next two months, respecting of the Health Regulations.
Therefore SLTDA decided to extend the validity period of the all type of Tourist Guide Licenses up to 31st of May 2022, those who obtained the last renewal/registration for the years 2019, 2020, or 2021.

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MEDIA STATEMENT - COVID-19 INSURANCE

Liquor License Renewal Fees Amendments for the Year 2022

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

Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Program - 11/08/2021

With the collaboration of the SLTDA and SLITHM, introducing the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Program to enhance the knowledge of the SLTDA Registered Tourist Guides on global and Sri Lankan demanding trends.

Accordingly, first program will be held on 2021/08/16 and it will be on “Beyond Tour Guiding - Sustainable Tourism & Interpretation” by Mr. Rahala Perera (Director - Planning & Development - Arunya Vacations (Pvt) Ltd, Sri Lanka Certified EcoGuide - Ecotourism Australia, Certified Savannah Guide - Savannah Guides Limited of Australia).

Therefore, this is the open invitation for SLTDA Registered Tourist Guides and please join with us through the SLTDA E-Learning Platform using below web link.

Link-www.sltda.gov.lk/e-learning/login

Sri Lanka's vaccination drive on track

Sri Lanka Tourism Building a Strategic Blueprint

Informing to adhere the Health Guideline

Facilitation of Sale of Liquor at Safe & Secure Level 01 Hotels during the Period of Restrictions

Implementation of the Recommendations of the Cabinet Sub Committee on commission on Easter Sunday Attack and Sectorial Oversight Sub Committee on National Security

Government's Vaccination Progress  -  31/07/2021

Government's Vaccination Progress  -  18/07/2021

OPERATION OF EXCISE LICENSES ISSUED TO SLTDA APPROVED PREMISES -  04/07/2021

This is with reference to the health guidelines issued by the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) on 04th July 2021 that would be effective from 05th July 2021 to 19th July 2021.

Extend the validity period of all Tourist establishments/services
licenses

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority has decided to further extend the validity period of all Tourist establishments/services licenses up to 31st December 2021 as a relief measure.

Accordingly, the following will be eligible for the extension of the Licenses.

• Those who have registered and/or renewed in the year 2019 and/or 2020 irrespective of the categories including Tourist Guides.


• Those who have obtained Provisional Registration and those who got the extension/s of the validity period, the validity period will be further extended up to another six months in the case-by-case basis subject to evaluation of documents and physical progress.


• Those who have not renewed or not paid renewal fee up to the year 2021, the renewal fee has to be paid up to the year 2022 at the next renewal.


• The relevant government institutes & financial institutes have been informed in this regards.

 

We wish you a safe and secure business environment!
 

 

Media Notice Immigration Department - 08/07/2021

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Championing National Policy Priorities -  25/05/2021

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

Notice To all Liquor Licenses Holders - 18/03/2021

Press Statement Regarding Lanka Realty Leisure Pvt Ltd -  19/02/2021

SLTDA Official Notice - 17/02/2021

Driver Safe & Secure Awareness Program

WAIVE-OFF THE ANNUAL LIQUOR LICENSE RENEWAL FEES

Considering the adverse impact to the Tourism industry due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, we wish to inform you that on the recommendation of Sri Lanka Tourism the Cabinet of Ministers has approved to waive-off the annual Liquor License renewal fees of SLTDA registered Tourist Establishments for one year, or for the year of 2021 if you have not been able to renew your Liquor license yet.

We wish you a safe & secure business environment.

Loan Facility Extension

Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic and considering the difficulties many businesses are facing currently, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has decided to extend the grace period for loans registered under the Saubagya COVID-19 Renaissance Facility by 03 months.

Furthermore, beneficiaries who wish to receive a grace period of 09 months are required to send a request letter to their respective bank and sub-borrowers who obtained capital loans after the 30th June 2020 could pay their first installment after the 31st of March 2021.

We wish you a safe & secure business environment.
 

Financial reliefs for public and private sector employees for the festive season