News
Protest outside Chambers of Saliya Pieris: BASL asks for IGP’s intervention
Trouble erupts on eve of Kaushalya’s appointment as new head
Outgoing President of Bar Association Saliya Pieris, PC, yesterday (24) said that attempts were being made to intimidate him over the stand he took on a number of contentious issues including the appointment of the new IGP.
Pieris said so in response to The Island queries in the wake of protest outside his chambers yesterday. The BASL Chief questioned the attacks directed at him from Parliament. Protest was launched on the eve of the induction of new BASL President Kaushalya Nawaratne by Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam. The induction ceremony will be held today (25)
The following is the text of the letter sent by Anura Meddegoda, PC, Deputy President, BASL and Isuru Balapatabendi, Secretary, BASL to IGP C. D. Wickramaratne:We write with reference to an organised protest outside the chamber of Saliya Pieris, President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka.
We have been made aware the said protest relates to Pieris conducting his professional duties with regard to a particular client. We are of the view the said protest seriously hinders his right to represent a client, a professional right which has been safeguarded by law.
In the case of Wijesundara Mudiyanselage Naveen Nayantha Bandara Wijesundara v Sirwardena and Others (SCFR 13/2019), the Supreme Court observed that: “The first piece of legislation passed by the Parliament soon after the promulgation of the 1978 Constitution was the Judicature Act No. 02 of 1978. As the administration of justice in any civilised society cannot be effectively implemented without lawyers, the legislature in its wisdom, through the Judicature Act, established the legal profession. Thus, there is no dispute that the legal profession is a sine qua non for the due administration of justice in this country and for that matter in any civilized society. The said profession is essential for the maintenance of the Rule of Law and maintenance of law and order and its due existence is of paramount importance to the organised functioning of the society which is primarily the basis for the smooth functioning of the country as a whole.”
Further, Section 41 of the Judicature Act which has clearly set out the right of representation, and, has further shed light on the above mechanism established for implementing the administration of justice in the country.It is as follows; Section 41 of the Judicature Act (Right of Representation) (1) Every attorney-at-law shall be entitled to assist and advise clients and to appear, plead or act in every court or other institution established by law for the administration of justice and every person who is a party to or has or claims to have the right to be heard in any proceeding in any such court or other such institution shall be entitled to be represented by an attorney-at-law.
(2) Every person who is a party to any proceeding before any person or tribunal exercising quasi-judicial powers and every person who has or claims to have the right to be heard before any such person or tribunal shall unless otherwise”
Therefore, we strongly demand that you take action to ensure that Mr. Peiris’s professional duties as an Attorney-at-law, are not hindered and to ensure his safety. Thanking you, Yours faithfully,Referring to a spate of allegations made by a former airman Keerthi Ratnayake in an interview with Chamuditha Samarawickremaon a social media platform, Pieris said that there was no basis for such claims.
Pieris said that interested parties were trying to exploit his appearance for Nandun Chintaka who was recently brought from Madagaskar to sling mud at him.The PC said: “I was retained by Attorney-at-Law Sanjaya Ariyadasa to appear for a Writ application on the police to ensure this suspect Nadun’s safety after his arrest . I have had no other involvement in his cases. I have not visited Dubai for the last 15 years as claimed by Keerthi Ratnayake in the video.
No lawyer from my chambers travelled to Madagascar or Dubai. Also I have never appeared for Vele Suda as claimed. Of course I do appear for criminal suspects and that’s my profession. I have never had calls from Podi Lassie from prison or detention.I have not visited the CID in the last 25 years and so his claim that I take a million rupees per visit is absolutely false as is his claim about the amount of fees I take for a case.
But also I want to say that as a criminal lawyer I am bound to appear for clients and in that process I don’t look at their credentials. It’s like a doctor who has to treat a patient whoever he is. Also it is the right of a suspect to counsel and also right to be protected while in custody.
In Parliament they are attacking me because they are angry over my letters on the judiciary and the IGP appointment. Also this attack is because of the work I have done over the last two years to stop police killings and my work relating to the protests including appearing for IUSF (Inter University Students’ Federation) Convener Wasantha Mudalige.Chamuditha has an axe to grind. I have repeatedly refused to give him an interview. This is from the time of my election campaign. We had information that he had been bought over by the other side. I also dislike his sensationalising stuff so I have repeatedly refused his requests.”
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
