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SC ruling on economic meltdown: Lacille wants wrongdoers appropriately dealt with
By Shamindra Ferdinando
One-rime Secretary of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) Lacille de Silva yesterday (17) said that leaders of political parties represented in Parliament should set up a committee to study the landmark Supreme Court ruling on the economic crisis.
On the basis of a thorough examination of the ruling, action should be initiated against those who had been found guilty of economic ruin, regardless of their standing in the society, de Silva said.The prominent civil society activist who had served as Director, Administration of Parliament for over a decade during a turbulent period said that if political leaders genuinely responded to the situation, SC ruling could help Parliament to clean up the mess. “They’ll never get another opportunity like this,” de Silva said.
Lacille de Silva said that the political parties couldn’t ignore the Supreme Court faulted former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa who chaired the Cabinet-of-Ministers (Nov 2019-May 2022) and Finance Ministers, Mahinda Rajapaksa (Nov 2019-June 2021) and Basil Rajapaksa (June 2021-April 2022) and the five-member Monetary Board for the current crisis.
The former House official said so responding to The Island queries regarding political developments in the wake of the SC ruling. Pointing out that Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) as one of the petitioners in this case has already underscored the responsibility on the part of Parliament and relevant institutions and ministries to act on the SC ruling, de Silva emphasized that wrongdoers shouldn’t be shielded under any circumstances.
Responding to another query, the ex-House official said that though former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, MP, and MP Namal Rajapaksa commented on the SC ruling, political parties were yet to disclose how they intended to deal with the situation.
“It wouldn’t be an easy task. I know how the powers that be during the Yahapalana administration reacted to investigations undertaken by the PRECIFAC. I was sacked as its Secretary. On a directive given by the then President Maithripala Sirisena, Presidential Secretary P.B. Abeykoon informed me, in writing, of my removal. They didn’t at least give a reason,” de Silva said. “This happened in late Feb or early March 2016,” de Silva said, urging the Parliament to take up the challenge.
The SC ruling meant that the Gotabaya Rajapaksas’ government caused the unprecedented economic crisis, de Silva said, pointing out that the court was told of the need to refer the case to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).
The SC ruling quoted Upul Jayasuriya, PC, appearing for some petitioners that a proper investigation under the relevant laws relating to Bribery and Corruption would ensure due respect to accountability.
Lacille de Silva said that against the backdrop of the SC ruling the Parliament constitutionally responsible for ensuring financial discipline and enactment of laws should inquire into its failure on its part to identify the impending catastrophe. “Perhaps, statements made by Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe before the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) and Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) on May 24 and 25, 2022, respectively, should be re-examined. Dr. Weerasinghe didn’t mince his words when he quite rightly and clearly placed the blame on those who were found guilty by the SC on Nov 14, 2023.” Dr. Weerasinghe explained how tax revision declared and implemented in Nov 2019 contarry to the advice of IMF triggered the crisis, de Silva said.
The former House official emphasized that consequent to the SC ruling, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and leaders of political parties represented in Parliament would have to ascertain the requirement for the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on the economic crisis. Noting that Prof. Charitha Herath, the former COPE Chairman, too, has been preparing a report on the continuing crisis, de Silva suggested the government and Opposition should reach consensus on a common action plan.
Referring to the judgment, de Silva said that the Supreme Court was told how the government ignored interventions made by the Central Bank in a bid to initiate a programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The government’s irresponsible response led to the downfall of the economy, the SC was also told.
The IMF according to President’s Counsel Jayasuriya not only denied the last tranche of the IMF programme commenced in 2016 but also refused to grant a relief facility – Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) – to overcome the ill-effects of the pandemic.
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
