Several hotel owners with a background in tourism management, expressed the opinion that tourists may be discouraged from visiting Sri Lanka and inbound tour operators might be hesitant to bring in tourists, if the government intervenes in setting meal and room rates for hotels.

As per the gazette notification issued on September 11, 2023, the stipulated rate for breakfast at a five-star hotel is US $ 10 while it ranges from US $ 9 to US $ 5, respectively for four-star hotels to one-star hotel.

The meal rates for lunch ranges from US $ 7 to US $ 15. The rates for dinner are from US $ 9 to US $ 17.

“The rates could increase with the demand and it could increase further by the end of the year,” they said  claiming that that the rates are lower in other competing countries.