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Commissioner
for Tourism Administration is now functioning fully
The new establishment of the office of Commissioner
for Tourism Administration ensures justice to 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. This arm of the establishment
of the Office of Commission for Tourism Administration
is now functioning fully.
This new administration office comes into operation
with new institutional infrastructure under the Tourism
Act of 2005 and President Mahinda Rajapaksa appointed
Appeal Court Judge L K Wimalachandra on the recommendation
of Chief Justice Sarath Silva as the Commissioner for
Tourism Administration.
Speaking to the media, Appeal Court Judge L K Wimalachandra,
Commissioner for Tourism Administration said that, ‘’Up
to the end of September this year the Commissioner for
Tourism Administration had received over thirty-five
written complaints and more than up to ninety percent
of the complaints were settled.’’
‘Most of complaints are regarding rest houses and
license matters. There is a lot of political pressure,
and our interest is to give assurance to people, after
the independent inquiry. As the commissioner we are
only interested on the democratic process.’’
he added.
With the new act, the government has attempted to create
a partnership between the government and the private
sector in order to develop the tourism industry. And
in the process, if some one is unhappy or not satisfied
with the decisions taken by Ministry and institutions
under the Ministry, they could complain to Commissioner
for Tourism Administration for relief.
‘’Now people and the Tourism sector have confidence
and also have realised that the Ministry and other institutions
under the Ministry work within the correct legal framework.
They know they would benefit as the commissioner’s
task would be that of an Ombudsman’’ commissioner
further added.
Given this backdrop Tourism Minister Milinda Moragoda
had taken this long over due initiative to set up this
dynamic structure which can ensure the delivery of justice
to any aggrieved party either as individuals or as organisations
in the event of any injustice, unfair treatment or failure
to perform any statuary obligations by any agencies
in the Tourism sector prevails.
According to the ministry, in the first instance, the
Tourism 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 Hon. 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 new tourism administration institutions
and their clients and the employees.
Any personal or institution willing to report to the
Tourism Commissioner should send written complaints
addressed to The Commissioner for Tourism Administration,
Ministry of Tourism, No 64, Galle road, Colombo 03.
For further clarification can be made by calling the
Commissioners office on 0112 399 274
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