Rohantha, Withana among new heads at Sri Lanka state tourism agencies

New heads to the state tourism agencies and bodies have been appointed by Sri Lankan Tourism Minister Navin Dissanayake with well-known marketer Rohantha Athukorala picked to lead the Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) and veteran hotelier Paddy Withana heading the Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), officials said. Other Government sources said Mr. Athukorala was also offered the chairmanship of the Export Development Board, which he once held, but had opted for the SLTPB post. Mr. Withana is serving his second stint in a state tourism agency having being chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourist Board in 2002-2004 which combined all the state tourism activities. A few years ago, the board split into different segments handling promotion, development, conventions and the hotel school. New chairpersons were also appointed to head the Conventions Bureau and the hotel school. A new Managing Director at SLTPB and a new Director General of the SLTDA has also been appointed, the officials said. – ENDS-