News
House committee warns against privatisation of SLT, citing national security reasons
The Parliamentary Oversight Committee on National Security has strongly advised the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government against privatising Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT).The 11-member committee, in a report, titled ‘the effects of privatisation of SLT on national security’, which was tabled in Parliament yesterday (09), warned of far reaching consequences of privatisation.
Chairman of the Committee, one-time Deputy Chief of Staff of Navy, Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera told The Island that the government should be mindful of the dangers emanating from the much-touted privatisation programme. “Privatisation is certainly not the panacea for all our problems,” the former Public Security Minister said, asserting that the vital telecommunications sector, in private hands, could pose quite a threat to national security.
Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka (SJB) is also a member of the Committee, set up in terms of Standing Orders No 111. Its other members are Chamal Rajapaksa, Chandima Weerakkody, (Prof.) Channa Jayasumana, Charles Nirmalanathan, Sampath Athukorala, U.K.Sumith Udukumbura, (Dr.) Major Pradeep Undugoda, Major Sudarshana Denipitiya and Nimal Piyathissa.
The UNP, which has only one National List member, is not represented in the committee. Lawmaker Weerasekera said that the loss of SLT to ‘outsiders’ could jeopardize national security and expose the country to unprecedented threats.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe has declared both in and outside Parliament the need to privatise the SLT among other public enterprises.The report warned of the grave risk of the LTTE remnants, Tamil Diaspora and others, who backed the separatist agenda here, investing in the SLT.
Declaring that anyone who has backed the LTTE, even remotely, is a terrorist, MP Weerasekera said that such persons/institutions/ groups/organisations should not be allowed to buy any shares. The SLN veteran emphasized the responsibility on the part of the government to take bold decisions. Could we have the national telecommunications provider to the State in the hands of hostile elements, MP Weerasekera asked.
The then CBK administration partially privatised the SLT in 1994. Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corporation of Japan secured 35% of the SLT but those shares were bought by a Netherlands-based company, called Global Telecommunications Holdings wholly owned subsidiary of Malaysian Usaha Tegas Sdn Bhd. As at today the Malaysian Company holds 44.98% of the stake and the Government holds 49.50%.
With a countrywide customer base of nine mn, the income revenue of SLT in 2022 was Rs. 108 billion and the profit was Rs. 8.46 billion.
The report dealt with threats posed to economic security, energy security, food security, etc., and most importantly cyber security. The report warned the management of a foreign company that may take over the SLT, would be naturally bent to the political policies of the country they belong to.
The committee made the following recommendations:
i. SLT is already partially privatised with international companies holding 44.98% of the stake and the government holding 49.5%. Further privatisation would expose the country’s critical communication infrastructure/sensitive information to private entities whose profit-oriented interests can compromise national security. Hence privatisation of Telecom is not recommended.
ii. Anyone/organisation who had been blacklisted/helped terrorists/extremists in any form should not be allowed to buy any share and have any control over our national assets.
iii. State can buy back the other large shareholder of Telecom as provided for in the agreement, divide the segments into sensitive and vulnerable, excess lands and buildings, critical infrastructure and the business. Whilst retaining the first segments affecting National Security, the state can divest the others holding a major share through Private Public Partnership ensuring critical infrastructure is protected and all government regulations are adhered to. This way the government can exit from doing business whilst making profit and ensuring National Security.
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
