It is reported that the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) has requested the Ministry of Tourism to pay a sum of over Rs. 20 million for a 12-minute tourism promotional video by a private company to be launched on the dawn of 2024.
On Feb. 06, Chairman of the SLTPB – Mr. Chalaka Gajabahu has informed the Ministry to make a payment of Rs. 23,301,100 for the aforementioned commissioned video.
This move to extravagantly spend taxpayer money on videos created by companies of close aides instead of focusing on a long-term project to ensure the well being of the tourism industry, has been criticised, reports say.
