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Us Imperialism Remains Greatest Danger To World Peace And Prosperity Prof.Tissa Vitarana
Despite Afghanistan and Vietnam
After the dramatic events of the past few weeks when the American Tiger had to hurriedly depart from Afghanistan, which it had ruled for 20 years with its tail between its legs, people have begun to think that the US is a paper tiger not to be feared. Though it may be losing its world’s top economic position to China, it remains the world’s major military power by a long way. It has 403 military bases encircling China and over 800 bases worldwide.
China has only one base at Djibouti in Africa to fight the Somali pirates that attacks its ships. The people of the world must clearly understand that China is a (Third World ) country that has emerged from its poverty through industrialization and trade. Sri Lanka and other countries face no military threat from China. Not being an imperialist country we are focused on trade. Through good relations, flexible bilateral trade that is mutually beneficial can be achieved.
The fact that during this period the Taliban came under attack from ISIS-K, a CIA product, is a clear indication that USA will continue to promote internal conflicts in Afghanistan, making use of smaller sectional differences, besides the main Sunni/Shia one. A British agent is in charge of commercial exploitation. The North East of Afghanistan, which has connections with Russia and Pakistan, may also be made conflict zones. The danger exists of chaos in Afghanistan and conflict with neighbours providing a huge market for the American armaments industry.
The recent Singapore and Vietnam visit of the US Vice-President is a clear move to provoke clashes against China over the South China Sea disputes, largely an outcome of US promoted widening of territorial waters of countries, leading to overlapping. The ultimate objective could be a conventional war that arises in East Asia and spreads west. It would also put an end to China’s Belt and Road economic strategy. The path to intervention by the USA and its allies ( Australia, Japan and Modi’s India) the ” Quad “, a product of the US Indo-Pacific one ocean concept, is a possibility.
In this scenario, Sri Lanka is in grave danger. With India under pressure, from re-invigorated Muslim countries on the West and China on the East, besides its sizable Muslim internal population and Opposition from Congress, the USA is bound to turn to Sri Lanka. Attempts will be made to activate the MCC and SOFA agreements, that would make Sri Lanka an economic colony of US multinational corporations (MNCs), and also a military base of the USA. The deliberate running down of the economy, with a very low foreign exchange reserve, and a high level of debt, will be used against us to compel us to get IMF loans, with all their neo-liberal conditions. That will end the good move of the present SLPP-led Government to build a national economy free of debt.
To resist these pressures and retain our independence Sri Lanka will have to act with acumen and diplomatic caution.
The image portrayed of the Taliban by the West is unjustified. It is a nationalist movement that has fought consistently for the liberation of Afghanistan and to set up its own elected government. But they led a peaceful existence blending their tribal customs with that of Islam. They did not attack any country or cause harm to any people. The Taliban did not drive people away from their homes, unlike what the Jews did to the Palestinians with support from the USA.
It was after the Soviet invasion in December 1979 and the installation of a puppet regime that destroyed the social infrastructure and plunged Afghanistan into poverty that they fought for their liberty . They took up arms to fight against the decade of Soviet domination. In the guise of restoring Afghan independence, the USA and its European allies backed by Israel, Saudi Arabia and UAE not only attacked Afghanistan but ruled over the people with an iron fist. According to the United Nations these same forces caused around 40 million refugees . It was the USA-led forces that looted the Arab countries. America is said to have robbed 60 billion US$ worth of gold from Libya.
In this context it is surprising to find Ranil Wickremesinghe opposing our recognizing the Government of the Taliban. There is much criticism of discrimination against women. The Taliban has to do away with this as promised. The charges against the Al Qaeda too are exaggerated and the Taliban unnecessarily blamed. The Lanka Sama Samaja Party calls upon the Government to recognize the Taliban Government, while appealing to them to broaden democracy by giving full rights to all women. Under no circumstances should the Government sign or allow the USA to implement the MCC and SOFA agreements.
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
