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SLTDA DG’s removal a result of sexism, or penalty for violation?

13 Oct 2022

  • Allegations that official appointed only as acting DG, but enjoyed perks of permanent DG
  • Diana alleges sexism, questions if violation occurred why the belated action
  • SLTDA Chairman remains neutral, removed DG refuses to comment 
By Imesh Ranasinghe  While sources at the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) claim that former SLTDA Director General Dhammika Wijayasinghe was removed due to a violation of Sri Lanka Administrative Service (SLAS) regulations, State Minister of Tourism Diana Gamage claimed that WIjayasinghe’s removal was a result of sexism, saying “certain people find it unacceptable for women to lead offices”.  Speaking to The Morning Business, Gamage stated that she would launch an investigation to determine whether similar appointments at other semi-governmental agencies are also being scrutinised in a similar manner.  However, sources to The Morning Business that there were allegations that Wijeyasinghe was enjoying the facilities and benefits afforded to an official permanently appointed to the role, despite having only been appointed in an acting capacity. Meanwhile, Gamage charged: “The issue here is because the DG is a female. If they had issues with her and the perks she enjoyed, why did nobody question it earlier? Why are they questioning it now, after two years?”  According to the Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism Chulananda Perera, who spoke about the matter in an event held last week, said Wijayasinghe, who is a Special Grade officer at the SLAS, was released by the State service through the Public Service Commission for secondment services for a maximum of two years, and had completed her two years working on a UNESCO project under the Ministry of Education, before being appointed Acting DG of the SLTDA. A highly placed source told The Morning Business that Wijayasinghe was invited to join the SLTDA by former Secretary to the President Dr. P.B. Jayasundera, where she was recruited by the Ministry of Tourism as an Additional Secretary and thereafter appointed as the SLTDA Acting DG through the Ministry. However, according to the sources and the Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism, she had not obtained relevant approval from the Public Service Commission to extend her secondment service, as the SLTDA is not a fully-owned State institution, although it comes under the Ministry of Tourism. Secretary Perera also said that Wijayasinghe had not obtained approval from the Public Service Commission to work in an acting capacity at the SLTDA, as a ministry secretary does not have such powers. Perera further said that Wijayasinghe was paid acting allowances for two and a half years for a position she was appointed to without proper approvals, which amounts to a misuse of State funds. Thus, she said, when the Government audit authority repeatedly questioned the Tourism Ministry about Wijayasinghe’s appointment, the latter decided to resign from her post. However, Perera added, if Wijayasinghe hadn’t resigned, she would have been asked to vacate her seat. However, sources said that Wijayasinghe decided to resign on 5 October, before the completion of the audit query, and based on the recommendation of the Ministry Secretary to rejoin the State service. Wijayasinghe is currently attached to the Ministry of Defence as an Additional Secretary. Former SLTDA Chairperson Kimarli Fernando said in a Facebook post regarding the resignation of the former DG that “a corrupt system lost a competent and honest public servant from the tourism industry”. “It is the blind leading the blind, and personal agendas! Absolutely clueless, visionless, and incompetent,” she stated in her post, adding that it is a dark day for Sri Lanka tourism. Speaking to The Morning Business, SLTDA Chairman Priantha Fernando said he was unaware of the circumstances of Wijayasinghe’s appointment.  “As far as I was concerned, she was the Director General,” he said, when asked whether he knew she was appointed in an acting capacity. Attempts by The Morning Business to obtain Wijayasinghe’s comments on the matter proved futile.


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