SLTDA employee arrested on forgery

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

On July 22, the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) arrested the person, who is said to have worked in the Finance Division of the SLTDA.

“We work very closely with the 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,” SLTDA Chairperson Kimarli Fernando said. 

“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.

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, Fernando stressed, despite the resistance from the impacted staff and even some external stakeholders, who can be very vociferous.