New Laws Open Doors for Women in Hospitality and Alcohol Roles

Recent changes to Sri Lanka’s night work and alcohol related laws are being seen as an important step toward expanding opportunities for women in the tourism and hospitality sector.

For many years, regulations restricted women from working night shifts in hotels and restaurants and from serving or working with alcohol, limiting their participation in a sector that plays a major role in the national economy. These legal barriers, combined with social norms, contributed to low female representation in tourism employment.

In July 2025, the government lifted night work restrictions for women in the hotel and catering industry, allowing them to work legally during evening and early morning hours. At the same time, amendments to long standing alcohol laws now permit women to purchase alcohol, work in alcohol related industries, and serve alcohol in licensed hospitality establishments.

Industry observers note that these reforms remove outdated legal obstacles that previously discouraged employers from hiring women for customer facing and higher paying roles. The changes are expected to support workforce inclusion while helping the tourism sector address ongoing labour shortages.

Together, the reforms mark a shift in how regulation and employment practices are evolving within Sri Lanka’s tourism and hospitality industry.