News
Austria adopts anti-terror package, ‘preventive detention’ on hold
Following 2 Nov. attack:
In the wake of recent attack in Vienna that claimed the lives of four persons, Austria has adopted a security package to deal with terrorism. Austria made initial announcement a week after the Nov 2 attack blamed on a person described as an Islamist.
According to Austrian media, the government presented the package on Wednesday, Dec 16. In terms of the new package, the symbol law has been amended so that symbols of the right-wing extremist Identitarian Movement and those of some Islamist organizations could be banned; the media quoted Interior Minister Karl Nehammer as having said. The media also attributed stepped up electronic surveillance to Interior Minister Karl Nehammer and Justice Minister Alma Zadic.
However, the government refrained from adopting what it called preventive detention as part of overall security reforms for the time being.
The anti-terror package consists of following measures:
· Creation of a new criminal offense: The central component of the federal government’s new anti-terrorist package is the creation of a separate criminal offense to combat political Islam. The new paragraph 247b “Religiously motivated extremist association” in the Criminal Code is directed against organizations that fight the democratic constitutional order and want to replace it with a religiously based social and state order (such as the Sharia). According to the Criminal Code, anyone who establishes such an association, is a leader in such an association or otherwise participates in or supports it can now be punished.
Religiously motivated political extremism is becoming an aggravating factor under criminal law: A new aggravation factor for religiously motivated extremist motives is also being introduced. This should make it possible to take effective action against new forms of extremism.
· Radical mosques will be closed: Changes in the Islamic Law will create a new legal basis for closing radical mosques more quickly and easily. Specifically, in the future, the Office of Cultural Affairs should react much faster – and in particularly serious cases even without being asked to stop – and close mosques.
· Introduction of an imams’ directory: mosques and imams must be listed in a new directory. This directory will also include foreign imams and enables a transparent overview of which imam is preaching in which mosque, according to Integration Minister Susanne Raab (ÖVP). In this way, effective action can be taken against mosques that provide a platform for hate preachers from abroad. Sanctions are also planned for non-compliance.
· Stricter foreign financing ban: The foreign financing ban on mosques (Islam Law 2015) is now being tightened. In future, mosque institutions and the associations behind the mosques will be legally obliged to submit all financial documents. Here too, sanctions are planned for non-compliance.
· Improved data exchange: In addition, appropriate legal bases are created in order to improve the data and information exchange between the security authorities and the cultural office to implement these measures.
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
