01.

Unplanned tourism has the potential to destroy fragile ecosystems and cause social, cultural, and
economic disruption. With the right use of legal frameworks, guidelines, policies, rules, and laws,
these consequences can be mitigated. Discuss the effectiveness of environmental laws and policies
in Sri Lanka in reducing negative impacts on the environment and promoting sustainable tourism.
You should elaborate your answer with clear justifications and related examples to support your
argument.

Sri Lanka has a comprehensive set of environmental laws and policies in place, including the National
Environmental Act No. 47 of 1980, the Coast Conservation Act No. 57 of 1981, the Fauna and Flora
Protection Ordinance No. 2 of 1937, and the Marine Pollution Prevention Act No. 35 of 1981. These
laws and policies cover a wide range of environmental issues, including pollution prevention,
ecosystem protection, and sustainable tourism development.

Effectiveness of environmental laws and policies in Sri Lanka

The effectiveness of environmental laws and policies in Sri Lanka in reducing negative impacts on the
environment and promoting sustainable tourism can be assessed on a number of criteria, including:

Strength of the legal framework: Sri Lanka has a relatively strong legal framework for environmental
protection. The National Environmental Act, for example, gives the Central Environmental Authority
(CEA) broad powers to enforce environmental regulations and take action against polluters.
Implementation and enforcement: The implementation and enforcement of environmental laws and
policies in Sri Lanka has been mixed. The CEA has faced challenges in enforcing environmental
regulations due to a lack of resources and political interference. However, there have been some
positive developments in recent years, such as the establishment of dedicated environmental courts
and the introduction of new environmental regulations.
Public awareness and participation: Public awareness and participation in environmental protection
is essential for the effective implementation of environmental laws and policies. In Sri Lanka, there is
a growing awareness of environmental issues among the public, and there are a number of active
environmental NGOs. However, more needs to be done to promote public participation in
environmental decision-making.
Overall, the effectiveness of environmental laws and policies in Sri Lanka in reducing negative
impacts on the environment and promoting sustainable tourism is moderate. There is a strong legal
framework in place, but implementation and enforcement have been mixed. Public awareness and
participation in environmental protection is also growing, but more needs to be done.

Examples of environmental laws and policies in Sri Lanka that have been effective in reducing
negative impacts on the environment and promoting sustainable tourism

The Coast Conservation Act: This law has been effective in protecting Sri Lanka's coastal ecosystems,
which are vital for tourism. The Act prohibits development within a certain distance of the shoreline
and requires environmental impact assessments to be conducted for all coastal development
projects.
The National Environmental Act: This Act has been effective in reducing pollution and improving
environmental quality in Sri Lanka. The Act requires industries to obtain environmental permits and
sets limits on emissions and discharges.
The Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance: This law has been effective in protecting Sri Lanka's
unique biodiversity. The Ordinance prohibits the hunting and killing of protected wildlife and the
destruction of their habitat.
The Marine Pollution Prevention Act: This law has been effective in reducing marine pollution from
ships and other sources. The Act prohibits the discharge of oil and other pollutants into Sri Lankan
waters.
Examples of how environmental laws and policies in Sri Lanka have been ineffective in reducing
negative impacts on the environment and promoting sustainable tourism

Development of fragile ecosystems: Despite the existence of environmental laws and policies, there
have been cases of development projects being approved in fragile ecosystems, such as coastal
mangroves and rainforests. This has led to environmental damage and social disruption.
Pollution from tourism: Tourism can generate a significant amount of pollution, such as waste and
wastewater. In some parts of Sri Lanka, tourism-related pollution has had a negative impact on the
environment and public health.
Lack of enforcement: One of the biggest challenges to the effectiveness of environmental laws and
policies in Sri Lanka is the lack of enforcement. The CEA often lacks the resources and political will to
enforce environmental regulations effectively.
Conclusion

Environmental laws and policies in Sri Lanka have played a role in reducing negative impacts on the
environment and promoting sustainable tourism. However, there is still room for improvement in
terms of implementation and enforcement. Public awareness and participation in environmental
protection also needs to be further strengthened.

Recommendations

To improve the effectiveness of environmental laws and policies in Sri Lanka, the following
recommendations can be made:

Increase the resources and political will for environmental enforcement.

Promote public awareness and participation in environmental decision-making.
Strengthen coordination between different government agencies involved in environmental
protection.
Develop and implement specific policies and regulations to promote sustainable tourism
development.

02. Sri Lanka needs a comprehensive national strategy on tourism with a systematic, integrated, and
sligned with the appropriate sectoral policies to ensure sustainable growth and a more inclusive
sector for all stakeholders. Discuss your opinion on the above statement with examples from Sri
Lankan tourism related policies implemented in the recent years.

I agree that Sri Lanka needs a comprehensive national strategy on tourism with a systematic,
integrated, and aligned with the appropriate sectoral policies to ensure sustainable growth and
a more inclusive sector for all stakeholders.

The Sri Lankan tourism industry has the potential to be a major driver of economic growth
and job creation. However, the industry has also been criticized for its negative impacts on
the environment, local communities, and culture. A comprehensive national tourism strategy
could help to address these challenges and ensure that the tourism industry develops in a
sustainable and inclusive manner.
The following are some of the key elements of a comprehensive national tourism strategy:

• A clear vision and set of goals for the tourism sector: The strategy should clearly
articulate the government's vision for the tourism sector and set out specific goals for
sustainable growth, inclusivity, and environmental protection.
• A systematic and integrated approach to tourism development: The strategy
should take a systematic and integrated approach to tourism development, considering
all aspects of the sector, from infrastructure and marketing to product development
and human resource development.
• Alignment with other sectoral policies: The strategy should be aligned with other
sectoral policies, such as environmental policy, economic policy, and social policy.
This will help to ensure that the tourism sector develops in a coordinated and
sustainable manner.

Examples of Sri Lankan tourism related policies implemented in the recent years:

• The National Tourism Policy 2016-2020: This policy aims to develop the tourism
sector in a sustainable and inclusive manner. It focuses on promoting new tourism
products and experiences, developing rural tourism, and improving the quality of
tourism services.
• The Tourism Strategic Plan 2022-2025: This plan sets out a number of strategic
objectives for the tourism sector, including increasing tourist arrivals, generating more
revenue, and creating more jobs. The plan also emphasizes the importance of
sustainable tourism development.

These are just a few examples of Sri Lankan tourism related policies implemented in the
recent years. However, more needs to be done to develop a comprehensive national tourism
strategy that is systematic, integrated, and aligned with the appropriate sectoral policies.

Benefits of a comprehensive national tourism strategy

A comprehensive national tourism strategy could provide a number of benefits to Sri Lanka,
including:

• Sustainable growth of the tourism sector: The strategy could help to ensure that the
tourism sector grows in a sustainable manner, taking into account the needs of the
environment, local communities, and culture.
• More inclusive sector: The strategy could help to make the tourism sector more
inclusive, ensuring that all stakeholders benefit from its growth.
• Improved quality of tourism services: The strategy could help to improve the
quality of tourism services in Sri Lanka, making it a more attractive destination for
tourists.
• Increased tourist arrivals and revenue: The strategy could help to increase tourist
arrivals and generate more revenue for the country.

Overall, I believe that a comprehensive national tourism strategy is essential for Sri Lanka to
achieve sustainable and inclusive growth of the tourism sector.

03. Sri Lankan government institutes value each and every tourist and work with the intention of
delivering a best experience for the tourists and service providers. Accordingly, discuss the role and
responsibilities of the tourism institutes established under the Tourism Act no. 38 of 2005 to deliver a
standardized service providing a regulatory framework for service providers.

The Tourism Act No. 38 of 2005 established a number of tourism institutes to regulate the
tourism industry and promote sustainable tourism development in Sri Lanka. These institutes
play a vital role in delivering a standardized service and providing a regulatory framework for
service providers.

The following are some of the key roles and responsibilities of the tourism institutes
established under the Tourism Act No. 38 of 2005:

• Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA): The SLTDA is the apex
body responsible for promoting and regulating the tourism industry in Sri Lanka. It
has a wide range of responsibilities, including:
o Developing and implementing national tourism policies and strategies
o Promoting Sri Lanka as a tourist destination
o Regulating the tourism industry and ensuring that service providers meet
minimum standards
o Providing training and support to tourism service providers
• Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB): The SLTPB is responsible for
promoting Sri Lanka as a tourist destination both domestically and internationally. It
undertakes a range of marketing and promotional activities, such as attending trade
fairs, developing marketing materials, and running social media campaigns.
• Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (SLITHM): The SLITHM
is responsible for providing training and education in the tourism and hospitality
industry. It offers a range of courses, from certificates to diplomas to degrees.
• Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB): The SLCB is responsible for promoting Sri
Lanka as a destination for conferences and conventions. It provides support to
conference organizers and helps to attract international conferences and events to Sri
Lanka.

These tourism institutes work together to deliver a standardized service and provide a
regulatory framework for service providers. For example, the SLTDA has developed a
number of standards and guidelines for tourism service providers, such as hotels, restaurants,
and tour operators. The SLITHM also offers training on these standards to tourism service
providers.

The tourism institutes in Sri Lanka also play an important role in protecting the interests of
tourists. For example, the SLTDA has a complaints handling mechanism for tourists who are
not satisfied with the services they have received. The SLTDA also works to resolve disputes
between tourists and service providers.

Overall, the tourism institutes established under the Tourism Act No. 38 of 2005 play a vital
role in delivering a standardized service and providing a regulatory framework for service
providers. This helps to ensure that tourists have a positive experience in Sri Lanka and that
the tourism industry develops in a sustainable manner.

Here are some specific examples of how the tourism institutes in Sri Lanka are working to
deliver a standardized service and provide a regulatory framework for service providers:
 • The SLTDA has developed a star rating system for hotels, which helps tourists to
choose hotels that meet their budget and expectations.
• The SLTDA also has a licensing system for tour operators and other tourism service
providers. This ensures that service providers are legitimate and that they meet
minimum standards.
• The SLITHM offers training to tourism service providers on a range of topics,
including customer service, safety, and hygiene. This helps to ensure that service
providers are able to deliver high-quality services to tourists.
• The SLCB works with conference organizers to develop and implement event
sustainability plans. This helps to minimize the environmental and social impacts of
conferences and conventions.

The tourism institutes in Sri Lanka are committed to working together to deliver a
standardized service and provide a regulatory framework for service providers. This helps to
ensure that tourists have a positive experience in Sri Lanka and that the tourism industry
develops in a sustainable manner.

04. Sri Lankan tourism was hit with a series of backto5 ) back crises over the last few years, includ ing
the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attack, coronavirus pandemic and most recently economic crisis and
political turmoil. These situations have brought the country’s tourist dependent economy to a halt.
As a tourism undergraduate, critically assess how Sri to overcome the most recent crises and Lankan
tourism authorities tried suggest key strategies to overcome the drawbacks of such efforts

Sri Lanka's tourism industry has been hit hard by a series of crises in recent years, including
the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attack, the coronavirus pandemic, and most recently the
economic crisis and political turmoil. These crises have had a devastating impact on the
tourism industry, which is a vital source of foreign exchange and employment for the
country.

The Sri Lankan tourism authorities have taken a number of steps to try to overcome the most
recent crises and revive the tourism industry. These steps include:

• Launching a marketing campaign to promote Sri Lanka as a safe and attractive

tourist destination.
• Offering discounts and incentives to tourists, such as visa-on-arrival and tax-free
shopping.
• Working with the tourism industry to improve the quality of services and
infrastructure.
• Investing in sustainable tourism development initiatives.

These efforts have had some success, but there are still a number of challenges that need to be
addressed in order to fully revive the tourism industry. One of the biggest challenges is the
negative perception of Sri Lanka among potential tourists. The recent crises have made many
tourists hesitant to visit Sri Lanka. Another challenge is the high cost of travel to Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lankan rupee has depreciated significantly in recent months, making Sri Lanka a
more expensive destination for foreign tourists.

Key strategies to overcome the drawbacks of the Sri Lankan tourism authorities' efforts
to overcome the most recent crises:
 • Improve the overall security situation in the country. This is essential to restoring
confidence among potential tourists.
• Address the cost of travel to Sri Lanka. The government could consider measures
such as reducing taxes on air travel and accommodation.
• Invest in marketing and promotion to target key markets. The Sri Lankan tourism
authorities need to focus on promoting Sri Lanka's unique selling points, such as its
rich culture, stunning scenery, and friendly people.
• Work with the tourism industry to improve the quality of services and
infrastructure. This includes ensuring that hotels, restaurants, and tour operators
meet high standards of hygiene and safety.
• Develop and implement sustainable tourism development initiatives. This could
include promoting eco-tourism and responsible travel practices.

The Sri Lankan tourism industry has the potential to make a significant contribution to the
country's economy. By addressing the challenges and implementing the key strategies
outlined above, the Sri Lankan tourism authorities can help to revive the tourism industry and
create jobs and prosperity for the people of Sri Lanka.

In addition to the above, I would also suggest the following strategies to overcome the
drawbacks of the Sri Lankan tourism authorities' efforts to overcome the most recent crises:

• Increase public awareness of the importance of the tourism industry. Many Sri
Lankans are not aware of the significant economic and social benefits that the tourism
industry can bring. The government needs to educate the public about the importance
of tourism and promote a sense of ownership of the industry.
• Encourage local participation in the tourism industry. The Sri Lankan tourism
industry is currently dominated by large foreign companies. The government needs to
create opportunities for local entrepreneurs and communities to participate in the
industry. This could be done through tax breaks, training programs, and other forms
of support.
• Develop sustainable tourism products and experiences. Sri Lanka has a wealth of
natural and cultural attractions that can be used to develop sustainable tourism
products and experiences. The government needs to work with the tourism industry to
develop these products and experiences and to promote them to potential tourists.

By implementing these strategies, the Sri Lankan tourism authorities can help to build a more
resilient and sustainable tourism industry that can benefit all stakeholders.