• Sri Lanka Tourism Chief affirms fundamental system change will continue

An employee of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) was arrested yesterday for forging the signature of a director and issuing work visa recommendation letters to the Immigration Department for foreign nationals. 

The Criminal Investigation Division (CID) yesterday arrested the employee who is said to have worked in the Finance Division of SLTDA. Sri Lanka Tourism Chairperson Kimarli Fernando said there is zero tolerance for such activity that brings Sri Lanka Tourism into disrepute.

“We work very closely with Immigration Department and an inquiry made by them on two suspicious work visa recommendation letters was found to be forged with the signature of a Director.”

Many such malpractices have been occurring in the past and since January we have been making changes. We have zero tolerance for such activity that brings Sri Lanka Tourism into disrepute.”

“Due to action being taken, there are attempts to discredit the leadership by some agitated staff, however maximum action will be taken and we will continue to make the necessary changes,” she added. The Chairperson further said several areas were being addressed to fix long standing fundamental flaws in the institution’s processes.

“Despite resistance from impacted staff and even from some external stakeholders who can be very vociferous; the system change that is required will continue,” Fernando stressed. 

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