Dr. Godahewa steps down from three of his SL Tourism postings
May 24, 2012 10:10 pm
Dr. Nalaka Godahewa has tendered his resignation effective 31 May as chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Sri Lanka Tourism Convention Bureau and the Institute of Hospitality Management. However he remains as chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority.
Speaking to Adaderana, Dr. Godahewa said that when he was appointed as chairman in June 2010, plans were in place to amalgamate all four entities of the tourism trade which were operating separately under different chairmen into one single unit or authority within a set time frame.
However, since the government was keen on discussing the amalgamation issue with the relevant stakeholders before taking a final decision, the issue had been delayed.
It is but fair to provide the opportunity to the authorities concerned to decide whether these institutions should remain under one chairman or to appoint separate chairmen to each entity as his remaining as chairman of all four entities may create conflicts in reaching a final decision, said Dr. Godahewa.
Dr. Nalaka Godahewa is academically qualified in three different disciplines of management, Engineering, Marketing and Finance and holds a BSc honours degree in Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering from the University of Moratuwa. He holds an MBA from the University of Sri Jayawardenapura and a PhD in Marketing from the University of South Australia. Dr. Godahewa is also a Fellow Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK), a Fellow Member of the Institute of Chartered Management Accountants (UK) and a Member of the Certified Management Accountants (Australia). He is also a member in the board of Lanka Hospitals Limited.
Earlier he was the Managing Director of Sri Lanka Insurance, Director/ CEO Unilever Ceylon, Suntel and MAS Holdings. He functioned as a board member of the Seylan Bank during the turnaround period of 2008-2009.
Dr. Godahewa holds the honorary positions as Chairman of the local branch of the Global Marketing Network and as President of the Institute of Certified Management Accountants of Australia, Sri Lanka branch.
