Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) is to set up an enforcement unit to apprehend tourist hotels and other industry service providers that have not registered with the SLTDA. 

A spokesman from the SLTDA said it was compulsory for every tourism related business to obtain license from the SLTDA. 

"All service providers, from hotels and rest houses to tour guides, should be registered with the SLTDA. There is a sizable proportion of tourism related business that function without license. That is why we decided to set up an Enforcement Unit to initiate action against them," he added. 

"Licensing allows us to regulate the services. it also ensures the safety of tourists. At the same time, the license gives validity and recognition to tourism related businesses," he explained. 

The spokesman said stern action would be taken against the business that fail to obtain license from the SLTDA.