News
Udaya to raise privilege issue against Speaker
‘Misinterpretation’ of SC ruling
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader Udaya Gammanpila has given notice to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena that he intends to raise a privilege issue regarding the conduct of the Speaker and his Media Secretary Indunil Abeywardena pertaining to the Supreme Court determination on the Bill titled ‘Central Bank of Sri Lanka.’
Speaker Abeywardena announced the Supreme Court determination on 04 April. In addition to Gammanpila, MPs Gevindu Cumaratunga and Ven. Atureliye Rathana Thera have alleged that Speaker Abeywardena has misled Parliament as regards the SC determination.
MP Gammanpila told The Island that Speaker Abeywardena had conveniently refrained from informing Parliament that the SC had rejected 1/3 of the clauses in the Bill, declaring those should be approved by a two-thirds majority in Parliament or required a two-thirds majority in Parliament and people’s endorsement at a referendum. What the Speaker said was totally contrary to what was stated on page 54 of the SC determination.
In a letter dated April 17 addressed to Speaker Abeywardena, Attorney-at-Law Gammanpila requested an opportunity for him to raise a privilege issue when Parliament meets on 25 April after the Sinhala and Tamil New Year holiday.
MP Gammanpila said that he had raised this issue as one of the seven petitioners who moved the Supreme Court against the Bill. Those who opposed it in the SC had been branded as saboteurs, the former Power and Energy Minister said.
The Speaker had failed take note of the fact that the Attorney General had made a staggering 80 amendments to the proposed Bill, Gammanpila said.Declaring that the Bill titled ‘Central Bank of Sri Lanka’ was the worst Bill prepared in respect of the Central Bank and such a flawed document had been submitted to parliament for approval, MP Gammanpila said.
The rebel SLPP MP said that the Speaker’s declaration had brought the SC into disrepute and humiliated the lawyers who represented the petitioners.
MP Gammanpila said as he had not been able to contact Speaker Abeywardena and therefore informed the latter’s son, Chameera Abeywardena, Coordinating Secretary to the Speaker. MP Gammanpila said that however, Indunil Abeywardena, in his capacity as the Media Secretary of the Speaker had issued a statement condemning him over his 04 April media briefing.
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
