Sri Lanka implemented a policy change in the hospitality sector allowing women to work night shifts. The South Asian country lifted a longstanding 1954 regulation that prevented women from working in hotels and restaurants after 22.00 causing operational difficulties since food service was limited to that time and now this move marks a major step toward gender equality and workforce growth of the tourism industry.
This change welcomed by the country's hospitality industry and notably, the previous rule did not apply to other female workers in the sector.
Hospitality ndustry leaders and proponents of gender equality in Sri Lanka are lauding the decision as a critical step towards inclusivity, operational effectiveness, and economic expansion.
At the weekly post - Cabinet meeting media briefing Cabinet spokesman and Minister Nalinda Jaytissa said that it is understood that this legislation is very old and the economic opportunities have changed since 1954 with the expansion of new industries. Thus, this revision was considered following stakeholder lobbying to amend the law.
With this new policy under previous regulations, female employees over 18 can work as hotel receptionists, coat room attendants, garments rooms, and washrooms between 18.00 and 06.00.
A well-known hotelier and owner of Thema Collection, Chandra Wickremesinghe, that recently opened the first all - women operated hotel in Sri Lanka, called the move a good step, saying that "if nurses can do night worl, why can't female hotel employees ?" considering that the old law was absurd.
Thema Collection owner also noted that the change could encourage more women to join the hospitality workforce, which currently represents only 10% of employees and he stressed that hoteliers need to provide accommodation and support facilities for female staff working late hours.
The Resident Manager of Mahaweli Reach Hotels, Rodney Armstrong, called the change a huge plus point and said offering accommodation and transport would encourage more women to join the worforce.
President of the Hotels Association of Sri Lanka, M. Shanthikumar, also praised the move and emphasised the importance of providing safe transport or accommodation for employees finishing work at midnight.
Sri Lanka's tourism industry is growing steadily, targeting 2.5 million visitors in 2025, up from 2.0 million in 2024. The main source markets last year were India, Russia, the UK, Germany and China.
The tourism sector in Sri Lanka is experiencing a strong rebound this year with a positive outlook for the rest of 2025, promotional campaigns to attract visitors from key source markets, improved connectivity and streamlined visa processes are contributing to the the positive growth.
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