As Sri Lanka’s tourism gears up for a defining chapter in its post-pandemic resurgence, the twin leadership of Buddhika Hewawasam — as Chairman of both the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) — has brought strategic clarity and sustainable ambition to the fore.
In a recent series of developments and public engagements across May and June 2025, Hewawasam emerged not just as an administrator, but as a visionary with both feet planted firmly in ground reality. His ideas balance the immediacy of economic revival with a long-term vision of sustainability and inclusive growth.
Dedduwa: A Template for Responsible Tourism
At the heart of Hewawasam’s current agenda is the massive Dedduwa Lake development project in the southern region of the island. Spanning nearly 1,800 hectares, the site offers immense potential — but Hewawasam is clear that scale must not come at the cost of sustainability.
“Over 1,000 hectares of this land are either marsh or water,” he explained, as he unveiled plans to open 600–700 hectares for carefully selected tourism ventures. “We are not chasing volume. Our goal is to invite community-driven and eco-sensitive projects that blend with the terrain — not bulldoze over it.”
This shift in tone — away from large, impersonal infrastructure and toward small-scale, immersive experiences — is a reflection of his deeper belief: that tourism should serve local communities as much as it does foreign visitors. The Dedduwa proposal process, he insists, will be transparent, competitive, and open to anyone with a vision for meaningful tourism.
Raising the Bar: 50 Tourism Product Guidelines
In parallel, Hewawasam’s other key focus has been on defining and regulating quality across the tourism value chain. Under his leadership, the SLTDA is in the process of implementing clear and measurable operational guidelines for no fewer than 50 tourism activities — ranging from hot-air ballooning to adventure sports and wellness retreats.
“We’ve already finalized and gazetted 30 categories,” he noted in early May, “and 13 more are ready to be added. By year-end, we aim to cover 50 product segments with structured quality norms.”
This isn’t just bureaucratic box-ticking. It’s a strategic push to create globally competitive offerings that are safe, consistent, and attractive to a new generation of international travelers — especially those seeking authentic and responsible tourism experiences.
Destination Sri Lanka: Showcasing Strength at Global Platforms
June 2025 saw Sri Lanka repositioning itself as a tourism and adventure hub on the international stage. Under Hewawasam’s stewardship, Colombo was selected to host the Indian Ocean Diving Association (IODA) Ocean Summit — a major milestone for the country’s marine and adventure tourism aspirations.
“This is more than an event,” Hewawasam emphasized. “It’s a platform to tell the world that Sri Lanka’s coasts, reefs, and marine reserves are not just beautiful — they are being managed with care and foresight.”
Not stopping there, Hewawasam also spearheaded Sri Lanka’s collaboration with Visa for a high-profile APAC tourism summit. The aim: to bring together policymakers, investors, and digital innovators in redefining the future of travel across Asia-Pacific — with Sri Lanka right at the center of that dialogue.
A Voice of Measured Optimism
There is a calm confidence in how Buddhika Hewawasam speaks — neither overtly aggressive nor overly idealistic. He acknowledges the complexities of running a tourism economy still recovering from shocks. Yet, he sees the moment as an opportunity to redefine the terms of engagement — to build a tourism economy that is leaner, greener, and deeply rooted in place-based experiences.
Whether it’s through pushing investor transparency, building regulatory frameworks, or hosting high-impact global summits, Hewawasam is quietly but steadily recentering Sri Lanka’s tourism narrative — from sun-and-sand clichés to stories of sustainability, quality, and culture.
In an industry often driven by quick wins, his is a voice that champions patience, planning, and purpose.
