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Covid upsurge: JVP blame govt.’s disregard for expert opinion, Dr. Fernandopulle’s warnings
JVP politburo member Bimal Ratnayake addressing media yesterday. Former Kalutara District MP Dr Nalinda Jayatissa looks on
By Saman Indrajith
The government’s callous disregard for expert opinion was the main reason for the spread the of COVID-19 virus at an alarming speed in the post-New Year period, the JVP said yesterday.
Addressing the media at the party headquarters in Pelawatte, JVP Central Committee member and former MP Dr Nalinda Jayatissa said that the situation would have been different and the country would not have been in the present predicament if the government had listened to the warnings by State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics, and COVID Disease Control Dr Sudarshini Fernandopulle.
“There are four ministers for health. Among them is the State Minister Dr Fernandopulle and the Covid control comes under her purview. She is a specialist doctor. We demand to know under whose instructions her warnings had been disregarded. We are sure that it was not the Army Commander who did that. It should be the President and he should understand that there are things he knows as well as things he does not. If he acts in a manner that he knows everything then the country will have to suffer. If the government had listened to Dr Fernandopulle the present situation would not have been this worse.”
JVP Politburo member and former MP Bimal Ratnayake said the government had closed the stable door after the horse had bolted. “For example, restrictions for the movement are imposed only after the explosive increase of infections.
He warned that the country was likely to face a shortage of medical oxygen. There were only two factories that produced oxygen. They produced 100 tonnes a day. As per the needs of an emergency, the health sector officials alone would need 25 tonnes daily. “The government must act fast without waiting for the last moment. Doctors and medical experts have already warned of a possible oxygen shortage. But still the government does not give two hoots about the possible danger.”
Ratnayake said that the super-rich would not have any problem as they could migrate elsewhere as now seen in India. “Most rich persons have left India for other countries and some have come to Sri Lanka too. The rich owners of Indian factories have left the country. Here too we see that the factories operate without giving any regard to the health of the workers. For example when a Covid-19 infected worker is found, that worker is given leave and is replaced by another to continue the work of that line. There are boarding places with a large number of factory workers. Those are like time-bombs waiting to explode. Yet, the government has no concern about such dangers.”
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
