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SLT Mobitel offered same service at USD 1 per person but VFS charges USD 25 plus – SJB
On-arrival visa controversy:
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The SJB has called upon the government to explain why the Department of Immigration and Emigration had entered into an agreement with VFS Global-led grouping for the issuance of online visas against the backdrop of SLT Mobitel offering the same service at a much lower cost.
Prof. G. L. Peiris, MP, and former SJB MP Mujibur Rahuman said that SLT Mobitel offered to issue an online visa per person at USD 1 whereas VFS-led operation charged USD 25.70 per person.
The disclosure was made at a media briefing held on Monday at the Opposition Leader’s Office at Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha.
Prof. Peiris and Rahuman demanded that the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government come clean on the issue.
Dissident SLPP MP Prof. Peiris recently aligned himself with the main Opposition SJB.
The Department of Immigration and Emigration recently finalised a tripartite agreement with GBS Technology Services and IVS Global FZCO being the prime contractor and VFS Global being the technology partner for the Sri Lanka government’s new E-Visa solution.
Referring to an expert evaluation of the controversial deal submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers, Prof. Peiris emphasised that the government had outsourced the vital function that shouldn’t have been removed from the Department of Immigration and Emigration, under any circumstances, contrary to the report submitted by its own committee, headed by T. V. D. Damayanthi S. Karunaratne, the Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Public Security.
The committee included Director General, Emigration and Immigration I.S.H.J. Ilukpitiya, Senior Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial and Local Government Champika Ramawickrema, Chief Financial Officer, Ministry of Public Security Ms. M. P. D. P. Pathirana and Additional Director General representing the Treasury M. R. G .A. Muthukuda.
They questioned the rationale in outsourcing responsibilities of the Department of Immigration and Emigration in the absence of serious shortcomings on their part. They insisted that Public Security Minister Tiran Alles should take responsibility for the situation. Minister Alles has denied any wrongdoing on his part or that of his Ministry. The SLPP National List MP claims both Parliament and Cabinet approved the project.
Former MP Rahuman asked whether Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam, PC, sanctioned the outsourcing of the Department of Immigration and Emigration functions.
At the onset of the briefing Prof. Peiris alleged that the latest deal was as corrupt as the February 2015 Treasury bond scams. Claiming that the Treasury bond scams had been perpetrated to fund the general election later that year, Prof. Peiris asked whether the incumbent government was in the process of raising funds for the forthcoming presidential poll.
The former Law Professor said that there hadn’t been any requirement, whatsoever, to involve an external party in operations performed by the Department of Immigration and Emigration.
Prof. Peiris emphasized that the USD 25.70 charged by the service provider is in addition to the visa fee received by the government. Pointing out that citizens of several countries, including India, China and Russia had been exempted from visa fees, Prof. Peiris said that they, too, were fleeced by the online visa provider to the tune of USD 25.70.
Alleging that the whole exercise was meant to benefit VFS Global led grouping and its local agents, Prof. Peiris warned that tourism could suffer quite a serious setback. “This could discourage tourists. The government cannot be unaware of the consequences, especially against the backdrop of Tourism Minister Harin Fernando disowning the tripartite agreement.
Prof. Peiris said that the tripartite agreement should be examined taking into consideration two issues. First of all, the government should explain the circumstances under which SLT Mobitel offer had been rejected and how tenders were called.
Prof. Peiris said that the government shouldn’t resort to this sort of clandestine deal against the backdrop of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and donor countries repeatedly demanding transparency and accountability on the part of the government. The internationally recognised law academic declared that the whole process was flawed and contrary to the law of the land regardless of denials at different levels.
Pointing out that the agreement had been signed for a period of six years, Prof. Peiris said that there was provision for extending it for six more years. “But in case the government has to rescind the agreement, who will take the responsibility for paying compensation to the external party?” he asked.
The former Minister alleged that the government in a desperate bid to suppress the truth was threatening public servants not to discuss the sordid issue with the media.
Ex-MP Rahuman said that the latest deal exposed the mentality of members of the Cabinet. At a time, the IMF had been mounting pressure on the government to introduce a new law to tackle corruption at all levels, they perpetrated another mega corrupt deal.
Referring to former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwelle’s declaration that the Cabinet approved procurement of medicines now under investigation, Rahuman said that the Cabinet had lost public faith. The former MP said that Parliament approved increases in visa fees but not the outsourcing of services contrary to Minister Alles’s claim.
Rahuman said that according to the agreement the government received the right to examine the service provider only after completion of 10 years of service of the stipulated 12 years.
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
