News
People want an administration totally devoid of the Rajapaksas – Manusha
… calls for interim set-up before presidential and general elections
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) lawmaker Manusha Nanayakkara says the main Opposition party wouldn’t, under any circumstances, accept the so-called SLPP dissident group’s proposal to form an interim administration.
The SJB parliamentary group comprises 54 members, though one of its National List nominees Diana Gamage has switched her allegiance to the SLPP.
Responding to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s plea for political parties, represented in Parliament, to join an interim administration for the sake of the country, the Galle District lawmaker emphasised that the SJB was insisting on an administration, devoid of the Rajapaksas.
MP Nanayakkara said that the growing public disenchantment couldn’t be suppressed by the proposal pertaining to the formation of an all-party interim administration.
Addressing the media in Colombo, yesterday, lawmaker Nanayakkara claimed that the Rajapaksas had amassed ill-gotten money and should hand them back to the country and leave public office once and for all.
Nanayakkara, a political turncoat several times in the past, claimed that the dissident group was making a desperate bid to save the Rajapaksas by forming an interim administration. The MP questioned the circumstances and the legality of members of the Cabinet handing over a letter of resignation, comprising signatures of all, to Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The top SJB spokesperson who is also at the forefront of high profile campaign demanding justice for 2019 Easter Sunday
victims emphasized that protest campaign would continue until the Rajapaksas left public office. Though he himself was in the Mahinda Rajapaksa government having crossed over from the UNP, the SJB MP said the Rajapaksas ruined the country and was now making another bid to hang onto power at any cost.
Demanding that a political setup should take charge of the country temporarily until an early general election could be held, lawmaker Nanayakkara insisted that there couldn’t be any Rajapaksa agents in an interim administration.
MP Nanayakkara warned of further intensification of protests unless the government stopped efforts to consolidate power through devious means.
Urging President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to step down, the SJB spokesperson said: “The Parliament can decide on one of its members, a professional to function as the President for the time being. If that is not acceptable, a suitable person can be brought into the Parliament on the National List and that person subsequently named the President. Appoint professionals to the cabinet of ministers as well. Get those knowledgeable in handing current issues to enable the proper management for the time being before the next presidential and parliamentary polls could be held, simultaneously.
The MP urged the government to reach a consensus on a political mechanism to revive the national economy without delay. The failure to do so could end in bloodshed, the MP said, underscoring their responsibility to prevent large scale confrontations between the military and the protesters.
The SJB spokesman strongly condemned claims by a section of the Maha Sangha that Muslim extremists launched the unprecedented Mirihana protest. The MP urged those monks affiliated with the ruling family and the current dispensation not to fan the flames of ethnic tensions. The country couldn’t afford another round of devastating ethnic violence, the lawmaker said, urging the public to be extremely careful of some elements resorting to demonic strategies.
Lawmaker Nanayakkara sought an explanation regarding the shifting of Air Mobile troops from the provinces to Colombo and positioning of other fresh detachments of troops in the City and its suburbs. The MP urged the government not to deploy the armed forces to quell political opposition. The MP also requested the military not to get entangled in a purely political situation created by the current dispensation and wrong policies pursued by the Rajapaksas over a period of time.
The military confirmed the deployment of Air Mobile troops.
The SJB boycotted recently launched initiative-All Party Conference (APC) meant to find solutions to the deepening economic crisis.
Nanayakkara asserted that the country couldn’t allow the current situation to continue or further deteriorate. Therefore, solutions were required soon to prevent further public protests leading to violence.
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
