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Dr. Arambepola for more space for women activists, welcomes Dr. Amarasuriya’s appointment
SJB accommodates Diana Gamage on its NL
State Minister Seetha Arambepola says political parties should pave the way for women civil society activists to seek political office. Viyathmaga nominated consultant ENT surgeon Arambepola believes her unexpected entry into parliamentary politics may inspire more women activists.
Having campaigned for Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s successful presidential bid, Arambepola received appointment as State Minister for skills development, vocational education, research and innovation. She was among two SLPP National List nominees made State ministers, the other being former Governor of the Central Bank Ajith Nivard Cabraal.
Asked whether she desired political office at the onset of the Viyathmaga movement, State Minister Arambepola emphasized entering parliament was never her intention. She said: “I volunteered. The Viyathamaga project really appealed to me.”
Arambepola was the only woman among 11 Viyathmaga activists given SLPP nominations (9 contestants) and on the National List (2) of the party at the recently concluded 2020 general election.
Pushing for an enhanced role for women in local government, provincial councils and parliament, the new entrant pointed out that often women entered parliamentary politics in the wake of their husbands’ assassinations or their passing away, in some cases death of husband or some other family member. Then there had been actresses, Arambepola said. Emphasizing that she had no issue with that, the State Minister pushed for more space for activists.
Arambepola welcomed the JVP-led Jathika Jana Balavegaya (JJB) nominating prominent woman activist Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, senior lecturer, Department of Sociology, Open University of Sri Lanka.
Political parties should be encouraged to field more women at all levels of elections and also accommodate on their respective National Lists at the general election, Arambepola said.
Responding to another query, Arambepola stressed that she was a taxpayer and engaged in politics at the expense of lucrative practice. Arambepola said that she never sought office. “Of course, when I was offered the post of Governor, Western Province, there was no hesitation on my part in accepting the new assignment. Similarly, I accepted the offer to accommodate me in the SLPP National List”, she added candidly.
The SLPP thanks to its overwhelming victory at the general election won 17 out of 29 National List slots. The Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) won seven and the remaining six were shared one each by other contesting political parties.
The JJB’s decision to field an activist who had been on both print and electronic media over the years was a welcome sign whatever the stand she took up on the political stage.
Amarasuriya has been a strong critic of SLPP policies.
Arambepola and academic Amarasuriya are among over a dozen women elected to the 9th parliament. They are Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle, Muditha Prashanthi Zoysa, Geetha Kumarasinghe, Rajika Wickramasinha, Kokila Gunawardena, Manjula Dissanayaka, Thalatha Atukorale and Rohini Kaviratne and Diana Gamage. Newcomer Diana Gamage represented Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) National List. The SJB accommodated her in terms of an agreement between them and Ape Jathika Peramuna (AJP). The Election Commission recognized Sajith Premadasa led UNP dissidents’ request to re-name AJP as the SJB. Diana Gamage had functioned as the Secretary of AJP.
Geetha Kumarasinghe, who entered parliament at the August 2015 general election from the Galle district, was deprived of her seat in terms of the 19th Amendment that prohibited dual citizens from contesting general and presidential elections.
Kumarasinghe gave up her Swiss citizenship to contest 2020 general election.
State Minister Arambepola said that Viyathmaga received tremendous backing from women voters, both at the presidential and the recently concluded general election. A survey would reveal they played a significant role in both victories, the State Minister said, urging all political parties to enhance women’s representation at parliamentary level.
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
