"Community heritage and resources are now increasingly becoming decisive inputs for tourism development."
The advisory panel, headed by D A C Silva, from the University of Colombo and Palitha Gurusinghe of the Sri Lanka Eco Tourism Foundation, was appointed by tourism minister Milinda Moragoda.
Community-based tourism is increasingly seen as an effective pro-poor strategy.
But a report by the advisory panel pointed out that the "objectives of sustainable development may not be achieved if a fair share of such benefits are not given to community members who are directly involved in tourism development."
The report says resources and indigenous skills belonging to these communities should not be undervalued and underutilized in the development of the tourism industry in the country.
"Communities must be given fair and equal opportunities in the