News
SLPP rebels, too, prescribe debt restructuring as pressure mounts
Review Yugadanavi deal
Probe sought on massive scams, proposals to strengthen state revenue
By Sirimantha Ratnasekera and Shamindra Ferdinando
A group of rebel SLPP MPs, yesterday (02) urged the government to initiate talks with relevant parties to restructure debt immediately or face the consequences.
The group stressed that the proposed foreign debt, except sovereign bonds (debt securities) issued by Sri Lanka to raise capital for spending needs should be restructured.
The government has repeatedly rejected the Opposition’s calls for debt restructuring over the past two years.
Pointing out that the loans obtained from international capital markets, at a higher rate, comprised 47 percent of the total debt, the grouping urged the government to desist from repeating the mistake. Instead, loans should be sought from foreign governments, the grouping said, at the unveiling of their road-map meant for economic recovery at the Monarch Hotel, Sri Jayewardenepura, Kotte.
The Democratic Left Front, the Lanka Sama Samaja Party, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, the Communist Party of Sri Lanka, the National Freedom Front, the National Congress, the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya, the Sri Lanka Mahajana Pakshaya, the Vijaya Dharani Jathika Sabhawa, the Eksath Mahajana Pakshaya and the Yuthukama civil society organisation, endorsed what the SLFP leader, former President Maithripala Sirisena, called National Declaration.
Except for Ven. Atureliye Rathana Thera, who represented Ape Jana Bala Pakshaya in Parliament, all others were constituents of the SLPP. However, State Minister Vidura Wickremanayake, who had been quite critical of failures and shortcomings on the part of the government, attended the event.
The rebel group emphasised the need to be transparent in the releasing of foreign exchange required for imports, priority for the import of raw materials for industries here, and curbs on issuance of duty free vehicle permits for a five-year period.
Among the proposals that had been made, with a view to consolidating the national economy, was an appeal to reconsider the controversial agreement with the US-based New Fortress Energy company to transfer 40 percent shares of the Yugadanavi power station.
Ministers Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Wimal Weerawansa and Udaya Gammanpila, who backed the petitions filed by several parties, including the Samagi Jana Balavegaya and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, against the Yugadanavi deal, addressed yesterday’s gathering.
The rebel group made several specific proposals to overcome the daunting challenges in the energy sector that would be necessary to address foreign currency issues.
Referring to the disruption of life, due to the foreign currency crisis that had deprived Sri Lanka of a continuous supply of petrol and diesel, Energy Minister Gammanpila said that unless tangible measures were taken to address these issues expeditiously, no one would be able to prevent riots.
Minister Weerawansa said that the destabilisation of the country, due to the developing crises, could pave the way for external interventions.
The dissident group also called for far reaching and specific measures to curb waste, corruption and irregularities as part of the overall efforts to enhance public sector revenue. Reference was made to the massive scams in duty on sugar and coconut oil imports, and required amendments to the Bribery Act to enable fresh proceedings in respect of Treasury bond scams, in terms of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry findings.
The group also called for an immediate end to relief provided to importers of sugar, coconut oil, flour, milk powder and the introduction of a suitable pricing formula. Duty/taxes should be imposed in a way that wouldn’t be detrimental to local producers, and not a burden to the consumers, as well.
Alleging that the government hasn’t implemented 57 recommendations made by the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Defence, the rebel group asked for tangible measures to implement them all. The group made specific proposals in this regard.
The group proposed resumption of import of fertiliser to meet the requirement.
While underscoring the need to consolidate and further strengthen state revenue, the dissident group proposed that direct and indirect taxes should be 30 and 70 percent, respectively.
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
