News
20 A: Govt promises to look into issues raised by nationalist groups
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Co-cabinet spokesman Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila yesterday (10) assured that concerns raised by the National Joint Committee (NJC), Federation of National Organizations, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Burma Prof. Nalin de Silva et al would definitely be looked into.
The assurance was given in response to The Island query at the post-cabinet media briefing at the Information Department presided by cabinet spokesman and Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.
Minister Gammanpila, who is also the leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) acknowledged that the 20th Amendment wasn’t perfect.
Asked whether the government accepted the need to rectify issues/shortcomings pointed out by Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekera, on behalf of the FNO, Minister Gammanpila said representations could be made. The minister explained the procedures the government expected to follow.
There were shortcomings, the minister admitted again. References were made to stand taken by Manohara de Silva, PC, a member of the expert committee headed by Romesh de Silva to formulate a new Constitution.
The Island asked why changes couldn’t be made through consultations among all stakeholders before the Committee Stage. The Island sought an explanation why the 20th Amendment did away with Article 53 of the Constitution meant to ensure members of Parliament did not promote or support a separate State (7th Schedule introduced by the Sixth Amendment)
The FNO asked the SLPP government to establish a mechanism to (1) accept public proposals as regards a new Constitution (11) suspend Provincial Council polls until the enactment of the new Constitution and (111) far reaching alterations to the proposed 20th Amendment approved by the Attorney General before the Government Printer issued the relevant gazette.
The Federation called for what it called rectification of technical and wrongful policy decisions, in addition to members of the cabinet given an opportunity to provide comments, in writing. Having rectified mistakes, the government would have to amend the 20th Amendment and re-gazette it.
The civil society group said that it would be a mistake to bring in amendments at the committee stage as it could create a situation similar to that of the passage of the 19th Amendment.
They also requested the following provisions altered (1) do away with the proposal in the 20th Amendment to reduce the number of days from 14 to seven available for the public in respect of enactment of urgent bills (ii) abolish provisions relating to the enactment of urgent bills as successive administrations abused them (iii) rescind the proposal to amend Article 53 of the Constitution which required members of parliament to take oath against supporting and promoting a separate State (iv) remove proposal to allow dual citizens to enter parliament. In addition to that extend that law to cover the Governor of the Central Bank, Attorney General, IGP, Auditor General, service commanders, judges of the Supreme Court and Secretaries to Ministries and (v) abolish the move to do away with the National Audit Commission and also to ensure no state institution is freed from audit.
Meanwhile, former President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka U.R. de Silva, PC, on Wednesday (9) revealed that Justice Minister Ali Sabri had assured that the Article 53 of the Constitution meant to prevent promotion of a separate state would be accommodated in the 20th Amendment. The revelation was made on Derana Aluth Parlimenthuwa. The BASL Chief was responding to query why the SLPP government resorted to such a course of action when the 19th Amendment left the vital provision intact. De Silva acknowledged the need to rectify mistakes/shortcomings in 20 Amendment.
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
