-By LeN Foreign Affairs Correspondent
(Lanka-e-News -18.July.2025, 11.20 PM) The Pottuvil Divisional Development Committee (DDC) has ordered the closure of the Chabad House operating in the popular tourist town of Arugam Bay, citing its lack of legal authorisation. The Jewish religious and cultural centre had reportedly been functioning for an extended period without the necessary approvals from local or central authorities.
The decision, announced following a recent DDC meeting, comes amid rising scrutiny over the presence and proliferation of Chabad Houses across Sri Lanka—many of which cater to Israeli backpackers and tourists, particularly in coastal and cultural hotspots.
In a parallel development, the Parliament’s Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations has raised sharp questions over the apparent policy vacuum within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism concerning the establishment and regulation of such institutions.
Chaired by Attorney-at-Law and Member of Parliament Lakmali Hemachandra, the committee's recent proceedings saw officials from the Foreign Ministry summoned to clarify the status and oversight of Chabad operations in the country.
According to ministry representatives, of the five Chabad Houses currently operating in Sri Lanka, only two have been formally registered under the Companies Act—raising serious questions about the legal footing of the remaining centres.
Committee members expressed concern about the regulatory blind spots in monitoring these entities, particularly in areas deemed sensitive from a national security perspective. One MP reportedly questioned whether certain religious or community organisations were being allowed to operate in a legal grey area, with little oversight or accountability.
On the matter of economic contributions, ministry officials acknowledged that while general tourist expenditure is routinely analysed, the government lacks a mechanism to disaggregate such data by nationality or specific community engagement. Nonetheless, they noted that the average Israeli tourist is estimated to spend approximately USD 150 per visit—a figure considered comparatively high.
The issue of Chabad Houses has long occupied a complex space in Sri Lanka’s tourism and diplomatic landscapes. While popular among Israeli travellers seeking kosher food and religious services, the informal nature of these establishments has previously drawn criticism from local officials concerned about zoning, immigration, and interfaith sensitivities.
The government’s decision to intervene in Arugam Bay may now set a precedent for further regulatory action against unregistered or informal religious centres, as Colombo attempts to tighten compliance in the tourism and foreign engagement sectors.
As debates continue in parliamentary corridors and public discourse, the closure of the Arugam Bay Chabad House is likely to become a flashpoint in the wider discussion on how Sri Lanka navigates the intersection of religious freedom, national security, and international tourism.
-By LeN Foreign Affairs Correspondent
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by (2025-07-18 19:18:41)
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