News
Investigation into missing DLB vehicle drags on for 14 years
House Inquiry reveals deficiencies in COPE, AG
An ongoing inquiry into the disappearance of a double cab, belonging to the Development Lotteries Board (DLB), way back in 2008 has revealed deficiencies in the Auditor General’s Department and the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE).
The tardy progress in the probe came to light when the COPE on 10 March took up with the DLB the disappearance of the cab, procured by the then Chairman of the DLB one-time lawmaker Sarana Gunawardena in 2008, at a cost of Rs. 8,095,000.
The COPE pointed out that the vehicle hadn’t been sighted since it was bought.
The COPE took up the issue at a meeting in the Parliamentary complex when the Auditor General’s reports for 2017 and 2018, pertaining to the DLB were examined. The reports on COPE proceedings made available to the media didn’t reveal the reason why the probe had dragged on for 14 years.
At the COPE meeting, chaired by its Chairperson, Prof. Charitha Herath, it was revealed how the DLB has been compelled to pay nearly Rs 16,190,000 to the private company that supplied the cab following a court ruling. The inquiry further revealed the DLB had suffered a loss of Rs 26,634,185 by 31 Dec, 2018. This amount included lawyers’ fees, the COPE revealed.
Among the lawmakers present at the inquiry were Ministers Sarath Weerasekera, Mahinda Amaraweera, State Minister Dr. Nalaka Godahewa and MPs, Susil Premjayantha, Jagath Pushpakumara, Champika Ranawaka, Dr. Harsha de Silva, Eran Wickramaratne, Madura Vithanage and Premnath C. Dolawatta.
A statement issued by the Office of the Legislative Services, Janakantha Silva, who is also the Acting Director, Communication, quoted the Chairman DLB, Ajith Naragala as having said that on the instructions of the Attorney General legal proceedings had been initiated to recover the losses incurred by the DLB.
Prof. Herath has pointed out how those who served on the board of directors of state enterprises caused significant losses to the government.
The COPE also asked the DLB why a state-of-the-art recording studio, built at a cost of Rs 38.75 mn hadn’t been used though it was available since 2015. Instead, the DLB had paid Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) Rs 2146.82 (well over Rs 2 bn) for recordings done at its studios, the COPE pointed out though the DLB claimed the recordings were done at a concessionary rate.
The DLB has told the COPE that it intended to develop the facility as an auditorium. Prof. Herath pointed out how the government suffered huge losses due to unilateral and unplanned ad-hoc decisions taken without proper consultations.
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
