Tourism presser cancelled amid tender controversy

8 August 2023 07:54 pm - 10 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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After serious irregularities related to the tender procedure of the global tourism promotional campaign were uncovered, necessitating the initiation of a fresh round of tenders, a press conference with the participation of the Minister of Tourism and Lands, Harin Fernando, which had been scheduled for tomorrow (9th), has been canceled.

Earlier today, the media unit of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau (SLTPB) had extended an invitation to the media for a press conference with Fernando, scheduled for 10:30 a.m. at Mihikatha Medura, Land Secretariat, No: 1200/6, Rajamalwatta Road, Battaramulla.

Later in the day, the media were informed of changes to the time and venue of the press conference.

The new location was the main auditorium of SLITHM, and the rescheduled time was 5:30 p.m.

However, this evening, media received notification that the press conference had been canceled due to "unavoidable circumstances," and that the "new date and venue will be communicated in due course."

The issue revolves around SLTPB's attempt to engage Public Relations and Digital Marketing agencies with the aim of enhancing international tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka.

The preliminary investigation has exposed a deliberate attempt by certain SLTPB officials to manipulate a bid by replacing documents to favour one party over another during the tender process.

In light of these revelations, eight senior SLTPB officials have been reassigned to the Tourism Ministry.

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Comments - 10

Joshua Tuesday, 08 August 2023 09:15 PM

Rajapakshe habits spreading everywhere

So Sri Lanka Wednesday, 09 August 2023 04:01 AM

It’s very well known in the advertising industry that the tourism advertisng and PR tenders are a racket. For the number of tenders that have been called from the ad industry over the last 30 years Sri Lanka should be a top tourism brand but it is far from where we deserve to be after millions of dollars have been spent on it. It enriches people personally and leaves the country’s top brand wanting more.

M.M.S.B. Manamperi Wednesday, 09 August 2023 06:00 AM

Check with Enforcement Unit activities that were established previously and are now closed due to the threat to these types of corrupt officers.

Nimal Wednesday, 09 August 2023 06:44 AM

There is no major activity undertaken by state organizations that does not involve corruption and fraud in a massive scale.

Suren Sarathkumara Wednesday, 09 August 2023 07:41 AM

This country will never be developed under the present rulers.

kudson Wednesday, 09 August 2023 08:13 AM

the whole gang in the promotion bureau in the basement are crooks from the officers to the guys in the stores its a mafia harin clean it up before the wound festers

Nilmini Welivita Wednesday, 09 August 2023 08:37 AM

Remove this incompetent man before he wrecks the whole industry.

DW Wednesday, 09 August 2023 09:48 AM

serious irregularities??? In Sri Lanak????? I don't believe it.

PG Wednesday, 09 August 2023 09:49 AM

unavoidable circumstances???? They want to construct and manufacture answers to all the possible questions so buying time.

Hunas Palakam Wednesday, 09 August 2023 11:12 AM

When wrong people are at wrong places such things will happen! However, no authorities will notice them, unfortunately. How Pagapala is back as a minister? This man also highly corrupted!

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Tourism presser cancelled amid tender controversy

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