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Gevindu asks whether SC action influenced govt. decision to increase EPF interest
SLPP National List MP Gevindu Cumaratunga and member of Uththara Lanka Sabhagaya has asked whether moving of the Supreme Court to seek equal treatment to all members of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) influenced the government’s decision to increase the interest paid to members from 9% to 13% for 2023.
Addressing the media at Dharmayathanaya, Baudhaloka Mawatha, MP Cumaratunga said that though he felt the government could have granted even a better interest rate, the decision was genuinely appreciated. The MP noted that the amount was higher than what was promised in Parliament.
The first time entrant to Parliament said that the SC recently announced that the case would be taken up on May 20. Cumaratunga, who is also the President of Yuthukama National Organisation, moved the SC in terms of Article 126 read with Article 17 of the Constitution.
MP Cumaratunga alleged that while increasing the interest granted to those who had received 9% to 13 percent, the EPF interest paid to Central Bank employees’ was believed to have been higher. However, that amount was significantly lower than what was offered to CBSL employees for 2022.
The apex court’s intervention has been sought on the basis that EPF members were paid 9% interest for 2022 in terms of the EPF Act No 15 of 1958 whereas members of the Central Bank Provident Fund received 29.27% in the same year. However, with regard to Employees Trust Fund (ETF), there hasn’t been any discrepancy with all members receiving 8.75% in 2022.
Lawmaker Cumaratunga has told the SC that after an inordinate delay State Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe on Nov 07, 2023 disclosed the difference in interest payments made to EPF members elsewhere and those working at the Central Bank. According to the civil society activist, the questions regarding EPF interest and related matters were submitted to Parliament in July 2023.
The petition named the Central Bank as the first respondent, followed by the Governor of the Central Bank, Attorney General, State Finance Minister and Commissioner General of Labour as respondents.
The petitioner requested the SC among other matters to transfer /credit Rs 21,000,000,000 that had been wrongly transferred to the Profit Equalization Fund, to the profit available for distribution and transfer/credit Rs 29,000,000,000 from the profit Equalization Reserve for profit available for distribution. The petitioner pointed out that this would enable the recalculation and revising of interest payable to each EPF member at 11 % or above for 2022. The petitioner also requested that the interest paid to Central Bank members of the fund should be re-fixed at an equitable rate as deemed by the SC (SF)
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
