A group led by Patriotic National Front Convener Dr Gunadasa Amarasekara filed a petition before the Court of Appeal yesterday (27), seeking to nullify a letter issued by Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairperson Buddhika Hewawasam approving a tourism promotion project targeting the LGBTQ+ community.

The petitioners, including the organisation’s secretary Dr Wasantha Bandara, named the Attorney General, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, SLTDA Chairperson Hewawasam, and the Executive Director of the NGO Equal Ground as respondents.

According to the petition, the SLTDA Chairperson had sent a letter granting approval to Equal Ground’s Executive Director for a proposed LGBTQ+ tourism promotion initiative, to which the organisation had reportedly expressed consent. The petition stated that the disclosure of this correspondence sparked public criticism, including objections from Buddhist monks and Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith.

It further noted that during a recent parliamentary session, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath clarified that the Government has no intention of promoting LGBTQ+ tourism in Sri Lanka. The petitioners argued that the SLTDA Chairperson had therefore acted without authorisation and in violation of State policy.

They contended that issuing such approval constitutes a breach of the Constitution and the Penal Code and requested a writ of certiorari to invalidate the letter. The petitioners also sought an interim order to prevent any further action related to LGBTQ+ tourism promotion until the case is resolved.