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CBK: ‘I am SLFP Chairperson’
Former President Kumaratunga and her sister Sunethra arriving at the statue of their late father and SLFP founder, S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike, yesterday
‘Sirisena holding the post unlawfully’
By Sujeewa Thathsara
Former President Maithripala Sirisena is holding on to the post of SLFP Chairman unlawfully, party’s Mentor, former president Chandrika Bandaranaike yesterday said after offering flowers to the statue of the SLFP founder and her late father, S. W. R. D Bandaranaike, before the official event to mark his 122 birth anniversary.
Kumaratunga said that she was still the SLFP Chairman and that due to the actions of Sirisena the SLFP had gone astray. She said that she had not left the SLFP and that she was aware Sirisena had instructed party officials not to invite her to any of the events organized by the SLFP.
“Sirisena has sold the SLFP to the SLPP. I will never leave the SLFP. I know some people are counting the days until I do. But they are mistaken.”
The former President said that a year back, she had told Sirisena that the SLFP should be strengthened.’She said: “Instead of working to strengthen the party, Sirisena is trying to sideline me. I wasn’t even invited to this event. But I came anyway because I care.”
A journalis: “Have you joined the UNP”?
Kumaratunga: “I haven’t. It is Sirisena went to the UNP headquarters five times. He went there and said he wanted to address Ranil Wickremesinghe as ‘Sir.’ I have never gone to the UNP HQ.”
Former President Sirisena also spoke to the media after offering flowers to the S.W.R.D Bandaranaike statue.
There was an argument between two groups of the SLFP after a Colombo District SLFP MP and his supporters removed the two bouquets of flowers laid by Chandrika and her sister Sunethra. Another group said it was not ethical to remove the flowers placed by the daughters of S.W.R.D Bandaranaike. Later, the two garlands were allowed to remain there, and Sirisena and the SLFP stalwarts paid a floral tribute to the statue.
A Journalist: “Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike arrived before the commencement of the official event and offered flowers. Why is that? Wasn’t she invited?”
Sirisena: “She has come before the event. I am thankful that she came.”
A Journalist: “She said you are holding to the post of SLFP Chairman unlawfully and that she would not accept your leadership?”
Sirisena: “She said? But there is no dispute among us. We all work together.”
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
