Sri Lanka, Dec. 14 -- Only about 40 percent of tourist accommodations in Sri Lanka operate within the formal sector, while nearly 60 percent remain informal, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Buddhika Hewawasam told the Sunday Observer recently.

He said the authorities have stepped up efforts to regulate informal accommodation providers as part of a broader push to improve standards and support the tourism sector's recovery.

"The majority of informal operators have the potential to be regularised," Hewawasam said.

"Many of these establishments are already making efforts to enter the formal system. During crisis periods, there is even greater incentive to formalise, as it...