SLTDA and SLTPB get new acting chairmen

• President insists on following guidelines when appointing heads of State entities

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) have got new acting chairmen as the appointment of permanent chairmen is further delayed as the President has got tough on qualification criteria of new appointments. 

As per the instructions of President Maithripala Sirisena, the Additional Secretary of Tourism Development, Wildlife and Christian Religious Affairs Ministry R.M.W.S. Samaradiwakara has been appointed the SLTADA acting chairman.

Meanwhile, former secretary to the Health Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Ministry, Janaka Sugathadasa has been appointed the acting chairman of SLTPB. 
President Sirisena has recently insisted the subject ministers to follow the guidelines issued when appointing heads of State entities. 

The issued guidelines contain a list of minimum qualifications to be followed by the ministers when appointing heads of State entities, including the maximum age limit of 70 years.

Also, the persons considered are required to be graduates and experts in the relevant field. 

According to sources, Tourism Development, Wildlife and Christian Religious Affairs Minister, John Amaratunga is yet to send a list of nominations for the chairmen positions of the four boards under his ministry. Once the list of nomination is received by the Presidential Secretariat, a committee appointed by the President will evaluate and recommend the nominations to the secretary of the subject ministry.

 
However, under the applicable law, the authority to appoint heads of State entities remains with the relevant subject minister. 

A top State official said that only the process of appointments have changed slightly while the authority still remains with the subject minister. (NF)