Sri Lankans Found Behind Alleged Illegal Foreign Tourist Businesses
- CNL Reporter
- August 7, 2025
- Business News, Travel and Tourism
- Tourist Businesses
- 0 Comments
Some businesses suspected of being illegally operated by foreigners—particularly Israeli nationals—are in fact registered under the names of Sri Lankans, according to Assistant Superintendent of Police and Acting Director of the Tourist Police Division, Prabath Widanamagama.
His comments follow concerns raised by opposition lawmakers about foreigners on tourist visas allegedly running unauthorized businesses in popular tourist areas such as Arugam Bay and Weligama.
“We’ve received such complaints and taken legal action in several cases,” Widanamagama said. “However, when we conduct investigations, we often find that these businesses are officially owned by Sri Lankans.”
He further urged those involved in the tourism sector to act responsibly. “People must decide whether they are willing to sell their identities for money to let others run businesses under their names,” he added.
