What role does the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority play?

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) is the official government body responsible for regulating the tourism industry, issuing crucial operating licences, enforcing safety standards, and grading hotels across the whole island. They also keep the structural health of the sector in place, pretty much.

Every credible travel agency, chauffeur-guide, and tourist vehicle has to get through SLTDA inspections in order to operate legally. The authority makes sure the environmental requirements are followed, sets the basic training syllabus for chauffeur-guides, and runs the Tourist Police division to deal with foreign visitor complaints.