News
21 A: JVP proposes dissolution of Parliament within six months after enactment of new law
Recommends time bar on those eligible to be elected
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The JVP has said that the Parliament should be dissolved within six months after the enactment of the proposed 21st Amendment to the Constitution.
The JVP made some far reaching proposals as regards the proposed amendment. Its three-member parliamentary group has proposed that any MP who deserted his party under any circumstances should be immediately removed from the Parliament.
The JVP has said so in a letter to the Justice Ministry in response to Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapajse’s request for political parties to make proposals in respect of the 21st Amendment to the Constitution.
JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake told The Island that his party submitted its proposals in writing as it declined to participate in meetings chaired by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to discuss constitutional proposals.
The JVP has proposed that the President shouldn’t hold any ministerial portfolio.
The following are the proposals pertaining to allocation of portfolios: (1) The Cabinet of Ministers should consists of 25 lawmakers (2) There should be 25 Deputy Ministers (3) There shouldn’t be State Ministers or any other positions created to accommodate members (4) The number of ministers/deputies cannot be increased in the event of a National Government (5) Ministerial portfolios and the assigned subjects should be included in the Constitution and (6) depending on requirement there should be provision for creation of new ministries.
The JVP proposed that the presidential pardon for a person sentenced for death, found guilty in terms of Public Property Act of 1982 No 12, sentenced on a bribery and corruption charges, rape, statutory rape and serious sexual offenses and those found guilty of misappropriation of public property, criminal misuse of power and criminal breach of trust should be subjected to parliamentary approval.
Members of the University Grants Commission (UGC) and Secretaries to Ministries should be appointed by the Constitutional Council.
As regards dual citizenship, the JVP has proposed in addition to members of Parliament, dual citizens cannot serve the Constitutional Council and independent commissions. The JVP has proposed that the Constitutional Council cannot appoint dual citizens to the positions it was constitutionally empowered to do.
The JVP recommended that the police and the CIABOC (Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruptions) should be empowered to initiate investigations into anyone required to make asset declaration or act on a complaint received from the public.
Except dual citizens, all should be eligible to contest parliamentary election until he or she reaches the age of 70.
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
