Awareness programs

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) works closely with relevant government bodies to introduce and enforce strict laws, rules and regulations to penalize those who engage in anti-social activities.

In order to ensure all tourists (both local and foreign) have a pleasant and comfortable stay, the SLTDA is committed to educating incoming tourists on Sri Lankan culture, customs and law. Several awareness programmes are conducted, periodically and target varied groups such as tourists, students, parents, and the community at large.

The Don’ts for Domestic Travelers

• Garbage which includes, polythene bags and lunch sheets, plastic cups, clothes (underwear etc) Styrofoam packaging, plastic bottles, glass and glass bottles, soap wrappers, shampoo sachets, all forms of paper, matchboxes, cigarette boxes and cigarette butts, yoghurt/ice cream cups/spoons etc, and bio non-degradable waste should not be thrown out at sites or road ways leading to sites. Instead should be collected in a container or a bag to be disposed of at specific places meant for disposal, for example garbage bins or garbage collection dumps.
• Glass bottles should not be thrown out on the rocks, streams and walking areas especially after consuming alcohol etc.
• Should not pollute the water bodies in sites visited.
• Should not throw away cigarette butts and burning match sticks which may cause fires.
• Setting fires for cooking or for warmth in and around forested areas or in open areas/camp sites etc and leave without extinguishing the fire.
• Should not consume liquor or smoke in any public place, places of worship, historical and religious/archaeological sites etc.
• Should not indulge in any acts of misconduct in any places of worship or archaeological sites.
• Should not use uncultured, abusive, degrading or indecent language whilst in places of worship and cultural sites.
• Should be suitably, respectfully and decently attired when in places of worship.
• Should not disturb the privacy of other visitors and should not indulge in any conduct that could cause embarrassment to foreign visitors.
• Should not disregard the local communities and their cultural sensitivities.
• Should not touch or deface historical images.
• Should not disfigure rocks, boulders and trees with graffiti.
• Should not approach, remove or cut off branches from trees and plants.
• Should not pick beautiful, rare and endangered flowers or plants from sensitive environments.
• Should not collect live samples of animals, birds, butterflies, tortoises, insects etc including their nests.
• Should not use boulders and other preserved monuments etc at archaeological sites for sitting, sleeping, cooking or inscribing names etc.
• Should not switch on radios, play musical instruments or indulge in singing etc in religious places of worship.
• Should not pollute public places or open places by urinating and discharging ablutions and instead use the toilet facilities provided in the respective sites. When using the toilets please ensure that cleanliness is maintained.
• Should not use conserved structures particularly in archaeological sites namely foundations, parapet walls, pillars etc as walkways
• Should not park vehicles to disturb or to obstruct the natural surroundings, the soil, green cover and foliage. Parking should be confined to the allocated parking areas.
• Should comply with the don’ts stipulated by the Wildlife, Forest and Archaeological authorities when in national parks, forests and archaeological sites.
• Should not enter into wildlife parks without being accompanied by an authorized tracker.
• Do not under any circumstances get out of the vehicle whilst in a wildlife park.
• Do not feed or provoke animals whilst in wildlife parks.
• Do not sound horns, talk or make any sharp noises whilst in a wildlife park.
• Do not switch on mobile phones whilst in a wildlife park.
• Respect the animals and their natural habitat whist in a wildlife park.
• Should not throw away particles of food etc or garbage whist in the wildlife park.
• Do not consume alcohol or alcoholic beverages whilst inside a national park.
• Do not leave garbage (polythene or similar substance) in a forest, national park or at places or worship, archaeological sites etc.
  The Don’ts for Domestic Travelers
• Garbage which includes, polythene bags and lunch sheets, plastic cups, clothes (underwear etc) Styrofoam packaging, plastic bottles, glass and glass bottles, soap wrappers, shampoo sachets, all forms of paper, matchboxes, cigarette boxes and cigarette butts, yoghurt/ice cream cups/spoons etc, and bio non-degradable waste should not be thrown out at sites or road ways leading to sites. Instead should be collected in a container or a bag to be disposed of at specific places meant for disposal, for example garbage bins or garbage collection dumps.
• Glass bottles should not be thrown out on the rocks, streams and walking areas especially after consuming alcohol etc.
• Should not pollute the water bodies in sites visited.
• Should not throw away cigarette butts and burning match sticks which may cause fires.
• Setting fires for cooking or for warmth in and around forested areas or in open areas/camp sites etc and leave without extinguishing the fire.
• Should not consume liquor or smoke in any public place, places of worship, historical and religious/archaeological sites etc.
• Should not indulge in any acts of misconduct in any places of worship or archaeological sites.
• Should not use uncultured, abusive, degrading or indecent language whilst in places of worship and cultural sites.
• Should be suitably, respectfully and decently attired when in places of worship.
• Should not disturb the privacy of other visitors and should not indulge in any conduct that could cause embarrassment to foreign visitors.
• Should not disregard the local communities and their cultural sensitivities.
• Should not touch or deface historical images.
• Should not disfigure rocks, boulders and trees with graffiti.
• Should not approach, remove or cut off branches from trees and plants.
• Should not pick beautiful, rare and endangered flowers or plants from sensitive environments.
• Should not collect live samples of animals, birds, butterflies, tortoises, insects etc including their nests.
• Should not use boulders and other preserved monuments etc at archaeological sites for sitting, sleeping, cooking or inscribing names etc.
  
• Should not switch on radios, play musical instruments or indulge in singing etc in religious places of worship.
• Should not pollute public places or open places by urinating and discharging ablutions and instead use the toilet facilities provided in the respective sites. When using the toilets please ensure that cleanliness is maintained.
• Should not use conserved structures particularly in archaeological sites namely foundations, parapet walls, pillars etc as walkways
• Should not park vehicles to disturb or to obstruct the natural surroundings, the soil, green cover and foliage. Parking should be confined to the allocated parking areas.
• Should comply with the don’ts stipulated by the Wildlife, Forest and Archaeological authorities when in national parks, forests and archaeological sites.
• Should not enter into wildlife parks without being accompanied by an authorized tracker.
• Do not under any circumstances get out of the vehicle whilst in a wildlife park.
• Do not feed or provoke animals whilst in wildlife parks.
• Do not sound horns, talk or make any sharp noises whilst in a wildlife park.
• Do not switch on mobile phones whilst in a wildlife park.
• Respect the animals and their natural habitat whist in a wildlife park.
• Should not throw away particles of food etc or garbage whist in the wildlife park.
• Do not consume alcohol or alcoholic beverages whilst inside a national park.
• Do not leave garbage (polythene or similar substance) in a forest, national park or at places or worship, archaeological sites etc.