Buddhika Hewawasam has resigned as Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, citing personal and professional reasons after serving in the role for approximately two years.

The Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), Buddhika Hewawasam, has submitted his resignation to the Minister of Tourism, Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment. In his resignation letter, Hewawasam cited personal and professional reasons for his decision to step down from the position.

Hewawasam, who was appointed following an invitation from President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, served as SLTDA Chairman from October 2024 to August 2026. Throughout his tenure, he emphasized his commitment to serving national interests and maintaining institutional integrity within the authority.

During his time leading the SLTDA, Hewawasam highlighted several achievements in the tourism sector. According to his resignation letter, Sri Lanka achieved its highest-ever tourist arrivals during his period as chairman, despite facing significant obstacles such as natural disasters, global socio-political disruptions affecting travel from key markets, and operational constraints at the airport. Additionally, the country received more than 15 international tourism accolades in 2025, positioning Sri Lanka among leading global tourism destinations.

Hewawasam noted that he worked to unite tourism industry stakeholders around shared national objectives while strengthening public confidence in the government's tourism strategy. He also identified increased transparency within the SLTDA as a priority area during his leadership, addressing what he described as an important concern within the tourism industry.

In his letter, Hewawasam expressed his commitment to facilitating a smooth transition to incoming leadership, stating his intention to support the process in the best interests of both the SLTDA and the country.