Equality in Tourism Associate Charmarie Maelge reflects on the 2025 law reforms that marked a turning point for Sri Lankan women working in the tourism industry on the journey towards workplace equality.
In Sri Lanka, women’s full engagement in the tourism sector has long been hindered by restrictive laws and entrenched social norms. Prohibitions on night work and serving alcohol created barriers to equal participation, while cultural attitudes further discouraged women from entering or advancing in the industry.
But recent changes to the law signal a new era, opening up opportunities for women to work in roles that were once closed off to them.
Sri Lanka’s Unequal Tourism Workforce
Despite strong human development indicators in areas such as literacy, health, and education – among the highest in South Asia – Sri Lankan women remain under-represented in the workforce. In 2024, female labour force participation stood at just 31.6%, far below the global average.
That figure drops even further to a mere 10% within tourism, even though the sector plays a vital role in Sri Lanka, ranking as the third-largest foreign exchange earner and generating significant direct and indirect employment. This underscores the urgency for reform.
Beyond promoting gender equality, empowering women in tourism is also key to addressing persistent skill shortages in a rapidly growing industry.
A Step Towards Workplace Equality
Until recently, hotel and catering sector regulations prevented women from working past 10pm, except in a handful of occupations. In July 2025, however, the government lifted these restrictions, enabling women to work legally in hotels and restaurants between 6pm and 6am. This landmark decision removes a structural barrier and represents a significant step toward workplace equality.
Equally important, the government amended the 1955 alcohol law, which had long discriminated against women. Under the revised regulations, women can now: purchase liquor legally from licensed outlets; work in the production, sale, and distribution of alcohol; serve as bartenders, waitresses, or in other licensed hospitality roles and consume alcohol at retail venues without restriction.
Previously, these prohibitions discouraged employers from hiring women, as liquor licenses were not issued if women were serving alcohol. The new framework now grants women the same rights as men, enabling them to access better-paid positions and customer-facing roles in hotels, bars, and restaurants.
This is not the first attempt at reform. In 2018, the government briefly lifted the alcohol ban for women over 18, only for the then President to overturn the decision soon after, sparking outcry from women’s rights organisations. While many women had already been consuming alcohol in private and most of the public was unaware such a ban even existed, the restrictions had far more damaging consequences for women seeking careers in tourism and hospitality.
A Turning Point for Sri Lankan Women in Tourism
These twin reforms of lifting night work restrictions and amending discriminatory alcohol laws mark a historic turning point for women’s participation in Sri Lanka’s tourism sector. They not only dismantle outdated legal barriers but also unlock new ways for women to contribute meaningfully to one of the country’s most important industries.
About Charmarie Maelge
Charmarie Maelge is an Associate of Equality in Tourism International and a gender specialist with extensive experience in the development sector. She holds an MBA and a postgraduate qualification in Gender and Women’s Studies from the University of Colombo. With a strong track record in Sri Lanka’s destination marketing, she has served in numerous government and private sector leadership roles, bringing together expertise in tourism, development and gender.
