News
26% candidates in UP polls have declared criminal cases against themselves: ADR
As much as 26 percent of the 4,406 candidates in the ongoing Uttar Pradesh polls whose affidavits were analysed have declared criminal cases against themselves, according to a report by poll watchdog Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR). In the 2017 state elections, out of 4,823 candidates analysed, 859 cent) had declared criminal cases against themselves.
The ADR said that 889 (20 percent) candidates this year have declared “serious” criminal cases, while the number in 2017 was 704 (15 percent).
Out of the 4,406 candidates analysed in Uttar Pradesh elections 2022, 1,142 (26 percent) have declared criminal cases against themselves, it said.
Among the major parties, 65 percent (224 out of 347) of the candidcent (11 out of 19) of the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party, 58 percent (19 out of 33) of the RLD have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.
Among other parties, 45 per cent (169 out of 374) of the candidates analysed from the BJP, 40 percent (160 out of 397) of the Congress and 38 percent (153 out of 399) of the BSP have also declared criminal cases.
Also, for the Apna Dal (Sonelal) the number was 35 percent (six out of 17), while the AAP’s 18 percent candidates (62 out of 345) have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.
The ADR said 69 candidates have declared cases related to crime crime against women — 10 of them related to rape (IPC Section-376).
The ADR said 37 candidates have declared cases related to murder (IPC Section-302) against themselves, while 159 have declared cases related to attempt to murder (IPC Section-307) against themselves.
As many as 226 (56 per cent) out of 403 constituencies are Red alert constituencies — those where three or more candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves.
cent) in the 2017 polls.
The role of money power in our elections is evident from the fact that all major political parties give tickets to wealthy candidates, the ADR said.
Among the major parties 31 of the 33 candidates (94 per cent) analysed from the RLD, 335 out of 374 (90 percent) candidates analysed from the BJP, 302 out of 347 (87 percent) candidates analysed from the SP have declared assets valued more than Rs 1 crore, the ADR said.
Also, 315 out of 399 (79 percent) candidates analysed from the BSP, 12 out of 17 candidates (71 percent) analysed from the Apna Dal (Sonelal) have declared asserts worth more than 1 crore.
This number is 13 out of 19 candidates analysed (68 percent) from the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party, 198 out of 397 (50 percent) for the Congress and 112 out of 345 (33 percent) for the Aam Aadmi Party. – Economic Times
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
