News
UK reiterates commitment to accountability issues, won’t comment on ex-CID Director’s case
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The UK will continue to take up accountability issues with Sri Lanka in terms of the latest Geneva Resolution, says the British High Commission.
A BHC spokesperson said: “We’ll continue to raise human rights concerns with the Government of Sri Lanka and independent bodies and encourage full engagement with the resolution. We regularly meet with politicians from all political parties and discuss importance of minority engagement, reconciliation and social cohesion.”
The official said so in response to the following questions submitted to the BHC, Colombo in the wake of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) making representations as regards Sri Lanka’s alleged failure to address grievances of the Tamil community in terms of the latest Geneva Resolution to BHC Sarah Hulton: “Would BHC, Colombo take up this issue with GoSL? Did TNA seek a meeting with BHC, Colombo? Several weeks ago BHC addressed the new HRCSL (Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka) Would you explain the issues discussed, raised by the BHC and also whether the issue of interdicted SSP Shani Abeysekera, former Director, CID was taken up with the HRCSL or the government (Core Group raised the issue at the UNHRC) and finally what is the status of the new Geneva-based investigation authorised at the March 2021 session?
Retired Major General Chagie Gallage told The Island that the TNA having stood by the LTTE until the very end having recognized the LTTE as the sole representative of the Tamil community was spearheading a campaign against the war, winning military. The war veteran said that if the British were genuinely interested in post-war national reconciliation among communities they could share wartime dispatches from BHC, Colombo. The TNA’s relentless push for punitive action against the military over war crimes should be examined against the backdrop of the grouping backing General Sarath Fonseka at the 2010 presidential election, Gallage said.
Pointing out that the EU once faulted the TNA for receiving the LTTE’s backing at the 2004 general election, Gen. Gallage said that the eradication of the LTTE restored peace in the country. The TNA losing its grip in the North in the absence the LTTE’s backing is a different matter, the Gajaba Regiment veteran said, urging all stakeholders to appreciate the ending of LTTE terror.
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
