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Absence of common strategy impedes Opp. campaign: SLPP

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Prof. G.L.

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Prof. G. L. Peiris yesterday (14) appealed for a common Opposition strategy against President Ranil Wickremesinghe-led government.

The former External Affairs Minister stressed the urgent need for a consensus to pressure the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government on multiple fronts. The one-time top law academic said so addressing the media at the Nawala Office of the rebel SLPP group, comprising 12 lawmakers.

Alleging that the government sought to divide the Opposition, Prof. Peiris warned the delay on their part to work out a common programme could impede Opposition efforts.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is the main Opposition party in Parliament. The SJB secured 54 seats at the last general election in August 2020; though three of them joined the government, three others have distanced themselves from the party.

Prof. Peiris dealt with three major issues which required a common Opposition approach as President Wickremesinghe increasingly resorted to dictatorial policies to consolidate his hold. Prof. Peiris said that a common strategy was needed to challenge the indefinite postponement of Local Government polls, Provincial Council polls, continuing interference in the judiciary, and plans to do away with labour rights.

The top rebel SLPP spokesperson pointed out that a significant section of the government parliamentary group was opposed to the recently implemented ‘Aswasuma’ social security scheme. “We are aware 62 MPs recently wrote to President Wickremesinghe condemning this scheme. They called it a fraud,” Prof. Peiris said, calling for reappraisal of Opposition strategy and formulating a common programme.

At the onset of the briefing, Prof. Peiris said that the Cabinet of Ministers, headed by President Wickremesinghe, owed an explanation regarding the gradual collapse of the country. The pathetic state of the public health service and the recent ruination of paddy cultivation, in some parts of the country, due to failure on the part of the Cabinet of Ministers to release the required water proved the irresponsible nature of the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa grouping.

Referring to a recent declaration by Cabinet spokesperson Bandula Gunawardena that relief could be provided to the hapless public if waste, corruption, irregularities and mismanagement at the Customs, Inland Revenue, Excise, RMV and Railways could be controlled, Prof. Peiris said that the ministers in charge of those and the Cabinet of Ministers as a whole should take the responsibility.

Those who credited President Wickremesinghe for performing a miracle after succeeding Gotabaya Rajapaksa should know the country is yet in chaos. The developing crisis couldn’t be averted by suppressing the people. The government couldn’t interfere with the rights of the public enshrined in the Constitution, Prof. Peiris said, urging the government to face the electorate at any level ahead of the presidential election scheduled for next year. The SLPPer pointed out that the President could call general elections in terms of the Constitution.

Contrary to reports, the UNP leader wouldn’t seek to advance the presidential election, Prof. Peiris said.



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US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development

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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.”

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Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees

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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.

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CIPM successfully concludes 8th Annual Symposium

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Left to right, Prof. Arosha Adikaram - Chairperson of the Symposium, UAC Obeyesekere – Chief Executive Officer, CIPM Sri Lanka, Guest of Honor - Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer, MAS Holdings PVT Ltd., Sri Lanka, Ken Vijayakumar, President, CIPM Sri Lanka, Priyantha Ranasinghe,Vice President, CIPM Sri Lanka, Col. Saman Jayawickrama (Retd) – Secretary, CIPM Sri Lanka, Dr Dilanjalee Weerathunga – Co Chairperson of the Symposium

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.

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