News
FM questions whether UK pursuing anti-Sri Lanka agenda for political reasons
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Foreign Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris has questioned the British government action vis-a-vis Sri Lanka on the basis of its latest controversial travel advisory that warned of terrorist attacks.
Prof. Peiris condemned the British warning issued on 07 March 2022. Referring to the Easter Sunday suicide bombings that had been carried out by the National Thowheed Jaamat (NTJ), in April 2019, the UK government warned terrorists were likely to try to carry out attacks in Sri Lanka. Attacks could be indiscriminate and the targets could include places visited by foreigners.
The top academic declared that the government had no issue with foreign governments warning of current shortages in fuel, gas and other essentials but it would be totally unfair to issue warning, as regards impending terrorist attacks.
Prof. Peiris took exception to the British action at the launch of Lord Naseby’s ‘Paradise Lost, Paradise Regained’ at the BMICH on Tuesday (29) where he addressed a distinguished gathering. Among those present at the event were Secretary Defence Gen. Kamal Gunaratne, Commander of the Army Gen. Shavendra Silva, former Commander of the Army Gen. Daya Ratnayake and several former and serving members of Parliament.
Prof. Peiris acknowledged that in spite of the Foreign Ministry taking up the issue at hand with the British High Commission in Colombo, the travel advisory hadn’t been revised.
Both Prof. Peiris and Lord Naseby, in their brief speeches discoursed how successive British governments suppressed official documents that contradicted unsubstantiated war crimes accusations which led to an accountability resolution at the Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in early Oct 2015.
The yahapalana government co-sponsored the resolution that targeted Sri Lanka’ wartime political leadership and the military.
Prof. Peiris said the UK’s response as well as that of some other members of the ‘international community’ to Sri Lanka’s triumph over terrorism was quiet questionable. Sri Lanka brought the war to a successful conclusion in May 2009 on the banks of the Nanthikadal lagoon against the opinion of so many self-proclaimed experts in the West and their local mouthpieces, who repeatedly chorused the refrain that Sri Lankan security forces were incapable of defeating the LTTE, dubbed by the American FBI as the most ruthless terrorist outfit in the world.
Prof. Peiris, who served as the first post-war External Affairs Minister (2010-2015) explained how the UN squandered money on a costly project targeting Sri Lanka. The FM also flayed those who received mega financial benefits at Sri Lanka’s expense as a result of the UN body pursuing an agenda inimical to the war winning country.
Prof. Peiris said: “There are many problems in this country and tourists are well aware of them. There are power cuts, shortage of diesel and gas. These are all facts of life. A travel advisory can certainly draw attention to these inconveniences which may be suffered by tourists who are planning a visit this country,” he said.
Questioning the rationale in making unsubstantiated claim relating to terrorist attacks, Prof. Peiris expressed surprise at the British response to Sri Lanka’s protest. “The answer we have got is that this is what they have been saying for two years and that the travel advisory has been downgraded from very likely to likely by now.”
“Is that a convincing or acceptable answer? If you were a British family contemplating a holiday with your loved ones, your friends, in Sri Lanka, would you for a moment consider holiday in a country where your government says terrorists’ violence is likely’,” an irate FM asked.
Prof. Peiris said that foreign governments and politicians shouldn’t seek political advantage at Sri Lanka’s expense. The FM emphasized the importance in the public of this country believing that whatever is done is genuinely for the well-being of this country and not to promote the fortunes of politicians in other countries.
Commenting on the controversial Geneva process, Prof. Peiris alleged that the country had been singled out by the application of standards and criteria, which were not being applied to any other country on the planet. “Is that because we are small, we don’t have large armies, we are not an affluent nation?” the Minister asked.
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
