News
FSP leading ‘Gota Go Home’ campaign wants Parliament to take charge, dilute executive powers
‘Time not opportune for general election’
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) spokesperson Pubudu Jagoda says the Parliament should be vested with required powers, at expense of the executive, until early parliamentary elections can be conducted.
Jagoda, one of the key FSP activists spearheading the ‘Go Gota Home’ campaign emphasised that the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa was a prerequisite for the formulation of an all-party parliamentary mechanism. The FSP activist insisted that their resignations shouldn’t be subject to a prolonged discussion.
Commenting on ongoing talks for an interim all-party arrangement, Jagoda said that such a set-up was not realistic. Pointing out differences of opinion among the sharply divided government parliamentary group as well as the Opposition, the FSP official said that the political crisis couldn’t be addressed without taking into consideration the grievances of those who had taken to the streets.
If those represented in Parliament are genuinely interested in finding a solution to the economic-political-social crisis, they should without delay introduce an amendment to dilute executive powers, Jagoda said. Having done that the Parliament could empower itself to undertake the daunting challenge of economic recovery, the erstwhile JVPer said.
The FSP came into being in early April 2012 following the second major split in the JVP since the elimination of its founder leader Rohana Wijeweera in Nov 1989 after being captured by the government, while he was masquerading as a proprietary planter. The first split occurred in May 2008 when a group of lawmakers led by Wimal Weerawansa switched allegiance to the then President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Asked whether the FSP backed the main Opposition the Samagi Jana Balavegaya’s call for immediate general election, the FSP’s Education Secretary questioned the rationale behind that stand against the backdrop of the current grave economic crisis. “Obviously, the SJB cannot be unaware of the ground situation. The country is not in position to undertake such a costly exercise. Furthermore, the current situation does not permit an election campaign,” Jagoda said.
Jagoda stressed that their assertion that time was not opportune for a general election shouldn’t be misconstrued.
Four days before the eruption of public protest at President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s private residence at the Pengiriwatte Road, Mirihana, on March 31, the FSP launched the ‘Movement for People’s Struggle’ to take on the government. The project was announced on March 27 at the Ananda Samarakoon Outdoor Theater in Nugegoda.
Declaring the countrywide protest campaign conducted by a grouping of trade unions and other organizations as a success, Jagoda said that cohesive action plan was required to sustain pressure on the government.
Asked to explain, Jagoda acknowledged the need for proper leadership for the ongoing public protests and ways and means to transform that movement into a viable political project.
The former JVPer said that those who represented the Parliament clearly lacked a clear understanding of the public mood. Had they really understood the political developments, the current dispensation wouldn’t have appointed a new cabinet while retaining Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Prime Minister, he said.
Subsequent to the incidents at Mirihana, the organizers of the ongoing protest campaign called for a countrywide protest on April 03.They launched a high profile campaign at the Galle Face Green on April 09 before conducting countrywide protests on April 28.
Organizing Secretary of the FSP Duminda Nagamuwa addressed the gathering at Galle Face on April 28 where he vowed to continue with the ongoing campaign.
Asked to explain FSP leader Kumar Gunaratnam’s role in the public protest campaign, Jagoda said that though he didn’t visit the Galle Face protest ground the leader addressed the media. The FSP is the only political party active therein.
Jagoda said that the FSP was ready to engage in a dialogue with the protesting people as part of the overall efforts to highlight the need for public friendly government policies.
The FSP run Inter-University Student Federation (IUSF) spearheads the Galle Face protest. IUSF cadre launched large scale protests at Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Wijerama residence demanding his immediate resignation.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
