News
US wants to get it ‘technically,factually and legally right’
Dinesh insists SL is neutral, non-aligned
By Shamindra Ferdinando
US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo yesterday (28) side-stepped a query whether the government of Sri Lanka had requested him to reconsider the travel ban imposed on Army Chief Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva on the basis of unsubstantiated and unverified war crimes allegations.
The US in February this year slapped a travel ban on wartime GoC of the celebrated 58 Division and his family on the basis of the Geneva Resolution, co-sponsored by the previous yahapalana administration in Oct 2015.
The media raised the issue at the Foreign Ministry after Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Secretary of State Pompeo addressed the press.
Earlier in the day, Pompeo met President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat. Among those present on both occasions was one-time Foreign Secretary Ravintha Aryasinha named the next Sri Lankan Ambassador in Washington.
Asked for comment on the current status of the US action against Lt. Gen. Silva, Pompeo, the one-time head of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) said: “It is a legal process in the US. We always continue to review it. We want to make sure; we get it technically, factually and legally right.”
Pompeo functioned as CIA Director from January 2017 to April 2018 before he received appointment as Secretary of State. The US quit the Geneva-based UNHRC two months after Pompeo took over the State Department.
Pompeo launched a scathing attack on China when the local media asked whether the US was seeking to neutralise growing Chinese influence here by way of MCC (Millennium Challenge Corporation), SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement) as well as strategy adopted by US-India-Japan-Australia quartet as part of the overall strategy to counter Beijing. Pompeo was also asked what he was trying to accomplish here just days ahead of the US presidential election.
Former President Maithripala Sirisena authorized signing of ACSA (Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement) in early August 2017.
Pompeo emphasized that the US wanted Sri Lankans to have sovereignty and independence. Reiterating their commitment as a friend and partner, Pompeo said as democracies they shared a vision. Declaring that he was here to explore ways and means of taking the US-Sri Lanka relationship forward, Pompeo said: “We want to make sure the people of Sri Lanka have the capacity to execute their sovereign rights to remain independent.”
Comparing the Chinese policies with those of the US and other democracies, such as India, Pompeo alleged that the Chinese had a ‘very different vision’.
The US-based media accompanying the Secretary of State asked Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena whether Sri Lanka welcomed further enhancement of US presence in the region. Sri Lanka’s response was sought against the backdrop of growing Chinese influence in the region. Minister Gunawardena, having emphasized the importance of US-Sri Lanka relations reiterated: “We are a neutral, non-aligned country committed to peace. On that principle, we continue our relations with the US and other countries.”
Minister Gunawardena, in his opening address at the joint press event, made reference to the US Secretary of State being in Colombo the day before the countries celebrated the establishment of diplomatic ties 72 years ago.
Minister Gunawardena said: “As a sovereign, free, independent nation Sri Lanka’s foreign policy will remain neutral, non-aligned and friendly. Conscious of the opportunities and responsibilities that come with our strategic location, we see the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation in our seas and air space also protecting sea lines of communication and the undersea cables. We believe all countries should adhere to and respect international law, including the UN Convention on Law of the Sea [UNCLOS]. We share views on the potential multifaceted maritime cooperation which Sri Lanka is keen to progress.”
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
