John claims corruption sweep at tourism agencies
The government with the intervention of the private sector has made an alleged clean sweep of corruption at the state tourism agencies sans inquiries.
Tourism Development Minister John Amaratunga told the Business Times that the second level staffs have been reshuffled over “allegations of corruption and inefficiency and undue delays in discharging of their duties.”
Previously the Business Times reported of the internal transfers carried out at the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) and the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).
At the SLTPB a key position of Director Marketing has been swapped with that of Director PR and Advertising; and at the SLTDA the HR, Quality Standards and Quality Assurance and Resorts heads have been changed among the three positions.
Some transfers have also been made recently of regional heads of markets and also at the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB).
He noted that he had received allegations of issues pertaining to undue delays caused by these officials at the tourism agencies who were removed from their existing positions.
The minister explained that there had been a problem when it came to obtaining approvals from these officials and this had been causing “undue delays.”
Allegations of obtaining bribes in getting the work carried out was also been complained about.
When asked whether carrying out such internal transfers had not caused problems in carrying out the work at this point in time when the industry was already facing a crisis; the minister said; “the Chairman and the MD have said that now everything is under control.”
The minister also noted that he had requested those alleging officials of obtaining bribes to lodge complaints with the Bribery Commission; however, this was not carried out.
“The best thing was to change their positions,” the minister said insisting that it had to be carried out immediately and that there was no need to carry out any internal inquiry into this matter but that transfers would settle the matter.
Officials believe that these transfers are mainly in line with the amount of money allocated to them for their trips to the different markets that has been a concern.
The private sector that sits on the boards of these government agencies is involved in some way in the transfers of these officials as well. However, it is interesting to note that these concerns have been raised at a time when the industry is facing a crisis and an entire recovery campaign post Easter Sunday attacks was called off.
In addition, prior to this the private sector called off the roadshows that came in for flak from the small and medium business that complained that unlike the larger corporate companies they needed these roadshows to pick up business as they depended on the government for their promotions.