Commissioner for Tourism Administration starts work

The newly appointed Commissioner for Tourism Administration will begin work from Thursday April 3. Any aggrieved party in the event of any injustice, unfair treatment or failure to perform any statutory obligations by any agencies in the tourism sector can apply to the Commissioner for redress.

The new Office comes into operation as part of the new institutional infrastructure implemented with the promulgation of the Tourism Act of 2005. The appointment was made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the recommendation of Chief Justice Sarath Nanda Silva.

Appeals Court Judge L.K. Wimalachandra has been appointed as the first Commissioner of Tourism Administration. Any written complaint could be forwarded to the Commissioner by post to reach, Commissioner for Tourism Administration, Ministry of Tourism, No 64, Galle Road, Colombo 03.

The main responsibilities of this Commissioner for Tourism Administration are:

Investigate into complaints made by any person or institution which discloses any injustice, unfair treatment or practice or failure to perform any of its statutory obligations by: Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB), or Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management (SLITHM) or any officer therein;

Complaints made by any enterprise or association of enterprises which discloses any injustice or unfair treatment or practice by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau relating to participation in, or benefiting from, its tourism promotion and marketing programmes:.

Complaints made by a graduate or student by the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management, which discloses any injustice or unfair treatment or practice that impedes his or her acquisition of training and certification;.

Complaints made by any guest of any hotel, inn, guesthouse or rest house which discloses any injustice, unfair treatment or practice by an accommodation institution.

In the first instance, the Commissioner may endeavour to bring about an amicable settlement between the parties provided that such a settlement is not in conflict with the law, in particular the Tourism Act No. 38 of 2005. If there is such an amicable settlement the Commissioner shall explain the terms and conditions of the settlement in a report to the Minister within 21 days of the receipt of the complaint.

In the event that there is no amicable settlement possible between the parties concerned the Commissioner will enquire into the complaint and submit his findings to the Minister within 21 days of the receipt of the complaint. The Minister will then issue instructions to the authorities concerned regarding the action to be taken on the report of the Commissioner.

The mechanism of Commissioner for Tourism Administration is expected to build confidence, trust and cordial relationships between the newly set up tourism administration institutions and their clients and the employees.