News
UNP Deputy Leader praises Plant Quarantine officers who detected harmful bacteria in Chinese fertiliser sample
Speaking during a zoom meeting with the party’s youth members, on party reinforcement projects, alongside its 75th anniversary programmes on Tuesday, the UNP deputy leader said: “Officials of the National Plant Quarantine Services, coming under the Department of Agriculture, have detected harmful residues, including Erwinia bacteria, of which some species are plant pathogens which destroy crops, in sample tested from organic fertiliser brought from China. There are reports that the sample contained harmful micro-organisms made from municipal waste. Environmentalists have warned that organic fertiliser from animal or plant waste could contain harmful pathogens.”
Ruwan Wijewardene said that businessmen close to the government were involved in importing foreign municipal waste under the label of organic fertiliser. “There are reports that government wants to help their crony businessmen somehow to deliver it here because claims are made that the sample was wrong. Another theory being promoted is that the bacteria had been introduced to the sample on its way here from China. Fingers of government suspicion have also been levelled at the officials of Plant Quarantine Service. We have information that some officials are harassed and intimidated. They are threatened to be summoned before the CID. They should instead be given promotions for their saving of this country from the bacteria, harmful to animals, plants, and people, while destroying many cultivation in the country. The Agriculture Minister should get the CID to probe not the officials but the businessmen’s racket that attempted to bring this and the suspicious process in which they were awarded with the tender to import organic fertiliser. A tender was placed to buy fertilisers with 17 percent nitrogen. The suppliers said they can’t find fertilisers with 17 percent nitrogen. All importers withdrew except one. This one intends to import fertilisers that only have 5-8 percent nitrogen. The CID should investigate the process of the deal.”
Wijewardene said that the government had banned chemical fertiliser so that interested parties could import organic fertiliser from China which could be harmful. He said a China-based company, had now got a 63 million US dollar contract to supply organic fertiliser. “And that company, too, is trying to pump municipal waste containing bacteria which destroy crops. The officers who made the detection now live in fear and we call on the government to stop such coercion immediately because the right thing it should be doing is checking some more samples if they are not sure of the results of the test that has already been carried out,” he said adding that if not for their services the country could have lost its crops and would have had to depend on China for food.
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
