Ruvini Dias who faked qualifications removed from position

Jun 11, 2016

Ruvini Dias Bandaranayake, appointed managing director of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau by furnishing educational qualifications which she does not possess, has been removed from the position.

The Tourism ministry took steps to recruit a qualified person to the position at the Bureau, which comes under the Sri Lanka Tourist Board, in order to prevent continuation of corruption and irregularities that had been rampant there during the previous regime.

Newspaper advertisements were published and the due procedure was followed, but Ruvini was able to deceive all and get appointed to the position. Her close friendship with subject minister John Amaratunga gave her an additional qualification.

Upon appointment, Ruvini displaced rash behaviour that did not befit the educational qualifications required for the position. Also, she had hastened to strike irregular deals and agreements.

Therefore, trade unions and other concerned parties in the institution made inquiries and found that when submitting her application, she had furnished false educational qualifications.

A secret inquiry took place. When questioned, she claimed she had a law degree from London University, but that her former husband had destroyed the certificate. Then, she was told to submit a letter from the university to prove that she had a degree. She became wordless to the request and was told to tender her resignation immediately.

After her resignation letter was received, her services have been suspended with immediate effect.