News
Govt., Opposition clash over alleged bid to tax EPF
By Saman Indrajith
Chief Government Whip and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando told Parliament yesterday that there was a cold war within the SJB for the Opposition Leader’s post.
“Incumbent Opposition Leader is so upset and is trying to prove his relevance as other members in his party see a better and qualified leader in Patali Champika Ranawaka. Owing to this pressure, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has lost control of his mind and speaks whatever comes to his mind,” Minister Fernando said.
He said so during a heated debate that ensued in Parliament yesterday following Opposition Leader Premadasa, asking the government to withdraw a gazette announcing the Surcharge Tax Bill, which seeks to tax the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF).
Opposition Leader Premadasa said that the new Bill was a government plan to help itself to workers’ savings.
The Opposition Leader making a special statement demanded to know the government’s position with regard to the decline of usable foreign reserves to US $ 700 million. He questioned the measures taken by the Finance Ministry to contain the rising cost of goods, reasons for high inflation, among other key economic issues. He asked whether the Minister of Finance Basil Rajapaksa had requested a report on the financial situation under Financial Bill no 58 of 1948. He questioned the gazette notification issued on Monday 07 February 2022, according to which the government proposes a 25 percent tax on EPF. The Opposition Leader insisted that the government should answer his question.
Minister Fernando said that the government would not be able to reply to the gossip spread by the Opposition Leader.
“Opposition Leader Premadasa has come up with gossip. However, the Finance Minister will answer all questions he has raised in writing on another date,” he said.
Opposition Leader Premadasa:
“I only raised concerns about the financial crisis and never gossip.”
Presiding Member Deputy Chairman of Committees Angajan Ramanathan
said that the government would respond to the latter’s questions later. “The Leader of Opposition, the government will answer your question on another day,” he said.
Opposition Leader Premadasa:
“What nonsense is this? I raised pertinent questions which should be answered.”
Presiding Member Angajan Ramadanan:
The government will respond. I cannot allow more time than this. The Opposition Leader is not confining himself to the topic and then the government opposes that. This cannot go on.
SJB MP Dr Harsha de Silva
said that the government was trying to take over the workers’ savings.
SJB MP Kabir Hashim
also said that the government should provide an answer to the questions raised by his leader, and the Chief Government Whip had no brains.
Opposition Leader Premadasa:
I need a microphone. The Finance Minister is not in the House.
Chief Government Whip Fernando:
The Finance Minister and State Minister both are attending another function. We will respond to your questions soon.
Opposition Leader Premadasa:
According to parliamentary tradition, when the Opposition Leader is on his feet, his microphone should be on. But mine has been switched off.
Chief Government Whip Fernando:
We have clearly stated that we would respond. MP Hashim said I have no brains. But the capacity of the brains of those in the Opposition was shown when they had to lose power in four and half years. The Opposition Leader is scared that he would lose his post to Champika Ranawaka.
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
