News
Govt. under fire over itsdecision to abolish PUCSL
‘Corrupt elements behind the move’
By Rathindra Kuruwita and Ifham Nizam
Consumer rights groups and opposition lawmakers yesterday alleged that the CEB and some power producers had engineered the disbanding of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), and the government’s decision to close down the PUCSL would pave the way for backdoor power project deals, which would send electricity prices through the roof. They vowed to take legal action if the government went ahead with its decision to abolish the PUCSL.
In a letter dated 10 December 2020, Dr. P. B. Jayasundara, Secretary to the President, has instructed S. R. Attygalle, Secretary to the Treasury, to take steps to close down the PUCSL and to adsorb its technical staff to the Department of National Planning, Ministry of Power and to the Treasury.
The letter says the decision was taken in line with the budget proposal referring to the PUCSL and the CEB to create an efficient work environment to implement power generation plans that have remained unimplemented for years.
The letter says, “As tariff and connected regulatory work is within the government purview, certain relevant provisions in the PUCSL Act could be incorporated in Consumer Affairs Authority and CEB act when PUCSL Act is replaced in due course.”
Commenting on the move, Ranjith Vithanage, President of the Movement for the protection of consumer rights said that the PUCSL was the only place where consumers could seek solutions to their power related problems.
Vithanage said: “Actually we wanted the scope and operations of the PUCSL expanded to regulate water and lubricants as well. But the government is trying to do away with this independent institution. Certain people didn’t like the PUCSL because the PUCSL prevented questionable power deals. There is a move to start power plants violating environmental and procurement process and to increase electricity tariffs. If anything happens to the PUCSL, we as a union will take legal action and take to the streets.”
Sanjeewa Dhammika, Convenor of the Electricity Users Association said that the current administration was attempting complete what the yahapalanaya government had started. He said that the then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and minister of Power Ranjith Siyambalapitiya had attempted to get rid of the PUCSL a few years back. He added that the PUCSL had attempted to stop illegal power purchases the CEB made from power plants owned by powerful businessmen and that could be the reason for the government move.
The CEB Engineers Union (CEBEU), which has been at loggerheads with the PUCSL for years, said it was not in support of scrapping the PUCSL. Saumya Kumarawadu, President of CEBEU said that a regulator was essential for the power sector.
“We don’t know if the government will really go ahead with this. We had issues with the current officials of the PUCSL, but we have always insisted that a regulator is needed. In fact, we asked for a regulator a long time ago. We had problems with this PUCSL, but what is needed is a good team. The government just haven’t appoint a competent team. We will decide what to do if the government actually goes ahead with its decision.”
SJB MP Harsha de Silva told The Island that he was shocked by the development and that the CEB and connected private energy producers had got the President to shut down the PUCSL. “This will open doors to massive corruption.”
Jayanath Herath, Director Information at PUCSL, contacted for comment, said they had not been informed of the government decision officially.
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
