SL Tourism Development employee arrested over forgery charges

An employee of the Tourism Development Authority was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly forging the signature of a director and issuing work visas recommendation letters to the Immigration Department for foreign nationals. 

The arrest was made by the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) while the suspect is said to be attached to Finance Division of the Authority, the Authority said in a media release.

Kimarli Fernando, Chairperson of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority said, “We work very closely with Immigration 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 we have since January 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 further said several areas were being addressed to fix long standing fundamental flaws in the institution’s processes. The system change that is required will continue, she said, despite resistance from impacted staff and even some external stakeholders who can be very vociferous, the release quoted her as saying.