News
CID chief informed of investigators discriminating against gem broker
Lawyers appearing for a suspect in an alleged gem related cheating case have urged the Director CID Kavinda Priyasekera not to allow investigators to act in a discriminatory manner against a gem broker who had facilitated the sale of a package of gems belonging to a Colombo gem dealer to a Ratnapura gem merchant.
The Ratnapura buyer had allegedly paid cash and for the balance sum due issued three cheques to the value of Rs 97.5 million and given to the Colombo owner-dealer of gems as security at a meeting arranged by the broker.But the Colombo dealer had deposited to his company account the three cheques, all of which had got dishonoured.
The investigators had not even questioned the Ratnapura buyer for over a year from the date of complaint made on 14th January 2023. Except for the dishonoured cheques, given allegedly as security for the balance due, the sale is entirely a civil transaction which had taken place in the normal course, the broker’s lawyers have written to the CID Director.
Making written representations to the Director CID, President’s Counsel M.M. Zuhair with Rushdhie Habeeb, Duleeka Imbuldeniya and Rizwan Uvais had said that no proper investigation whatsoever had been carried out against the Ratnapura gem buyer, though the FCCID had reported to Court that the buyer had issued three cheques for the total value of Rs 97.5 Million to the Colombo seller of the gems.
Counsel for the broker Ifthikar has alleged that the investigators had subjected not only the broker to discriminatory treatment as against the Ratnapura buyer but also compelled the broker’s wife and also his father earlier on to attend Court, alleging without any evidence that they were trying to leave the country with a part of the gems, violating their fundamental rights for the equal protection of the law.
Broker Ifthikar’s lawyers have represented to the Director that Ifthikar had arranged the Ratnapura buyer to meet the complainant seller at the Colombo office of the seller and the buyer had made a part payment in cash and balance by three cheques as security. This is entirely a civil transaction with no criminal intent that can be alleged against anyone.
Representations have also been made that Ifthikar has had many sales transactions with the complainant of very high value with the Colombo dealer, the virtual complainant without a single default over a period of six years. This is confirmed by the complainant’s own statement to the investigators, which the Unit had reported to Court.
Counsel have also made representations that there was not a single complaint against Ifthikar when he went to the Maldives in December 2022, after some 7 or 8 persons abducted him in Colombo, unlawfully confined him in an unoccupied premises and attempted to extort money from him. He was rescued by the Gothatuwa Police and released by them after recording his complaint. The investigators suppressed this serious offence from Court though Ifthikar had told them his abduction and fears when they recorded his statement.
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
