Tourism presser cancelled amid tender controversy

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

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 today, has been cancelled.  

Earlier yesterday, 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, last evening, media received notification that the  press conference had been cancelled 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.