News
Import of 102 container loads of rotten fish: Role played by Customs, etc., raised at COPE
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The Department of Import and Export Control has said that it cannot confirm whether 98 container loads of rotten fish brought into the Colombo Port a couple of years ago had been used for producing fertiliser, as claimed by a local fertiliser manufacturer ,who also runs a canned fish factory.
This transpired recently when the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) questioned the Department of Import and Export Control over its failure to keep track of the massive stock of rotten fish that had been brought into the country on a request made to the Department by Customs on behalf of the fertiliser manufacturer.
State Transport Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna chaired the meeting that was attended by MPs Prasanna Ranaweera, J. C. Alawathuwala, Ashok Abeysinghe, Isuru Dodangoda and Weerasumana Weerasinghe.
Officers of the Auditor General’s Department told the House committee that though the relevant authorities declared that 98 container loads of rotten fish had been allowed in, they believed that the total consignment consisted of 102 containers.
Expressing concern over the missing container loads of spoilt fish, the AG Department officials stressed that they couldn’t be sure of the use of spoilt fish for the intended purpose.
During the proceedings, the Department of Import and Export Control claimed that of the 98 container loads of spoilt fish, only 43 had been utilised in the manufacture of carbonic and the rest were to be re-exported. Of that unused lot, 15 container loads had been used to produce compost under the supervision of the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) according to the Department of Import and Export Control.
However, the AG Department maintained that there was no way to ascertain the usage of the spoilt fish. The AG Department brought the operation of a canned fish manufacturing plant by the fertiliser producer prompting COPE Chairman lawmaker Alagiyawanna to summon all concerned, including the spoilt fish importer.
The COPE Chairman asked the Department of Import and Export Control to put in place a mechanism to ensure proper scrutiny of such imports.
The issue came up when the Department of Import and Export appeared before COPE on January 23 to explain its position with regard to the AGs reports on 2021 and 2022. The COPE was told how Customs, on behalf of a local fertiliser producer, sought to secure the entire consignment of spoilt fish after Thailand refused to accept that load.
A container carrier on its way to Thailand from Seychelles had lost its power due to a technical defect and their failure to rectify the problem resulted in the ruination of the entire stock, the COPE was told.However, the proceedings hadn’t shed light on how the importer dealt with the unused consignments.
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
