Sri Lanka, June 24 -- Tourists arriving in Sri Lanka from August 1 will be allowed to stay only in hotels and guest houses registered with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority.

Industrial Exports and Investment Promotion, Tourism and Aviation Minister Prasanna Ranathunga said yesterday that this decision was taken following the instructions issued by the health authorities as a safety measure for both Sri Lankans as well as tourists.

Around 5000 hotels and guest houses have been registered with the SLTDA so far and they will provide accommodation for tourists arriving in the country from August 1.

There are around 20,000 unregistered hotels and guest houses across the country and their owners have been directed to register with ...