Private sector tourism leaders remanded

Two private sector tourism leaders Nilmin Nanayakkara and Mervyn Fernandopulle were this week remanded till 1 September in connection with FCID investigations into alleged irregular transactions by the Tourism Promotion Bureau, under the previous regime.

They were remanded after being produced before the Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne.

The two were private sector members on the SLTPB Board and the FCID had alleged they were among Board signatories for the release of Rs. 5 million for a Pirith Chanting program during the 2015 Presidential Election.

Though the funds weren’t released the duo is being remanded for attempted financial misappropriation probed by Police Financial Crimes Investigations Division. Under the previous regime the tourism portfolio was overseen by Minister Basil Rajapaksa.

The remanding of private sector representatives of the SLTPB had sent shock waves within the tourism industry that had also made informal representations to several Government Ministers.

Former Director of the Tourism Promotion Authority Kithsiri Ranawake was also arrested by the Police FCID in this connection. He was produced before the Fort Magistrate and was ordered to be remanded until 6 September. He is accused of directing Rs.5.7 million from the Tourism Promotion Authority for activities related to the Uva Provincial Council Polls.