News
Mirihana mayhem: All suspects granted bail, police looking for arsonists
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Police Headquarters has sought public assistance to apprehend the suspects who torched several vehicles, including two buses belonging to the Sri Lanka Army, at Mirihana, on 31 March.
Protesters and the Opposition have alleged that some pro-government elements turned an otherwise peaceful protest into a violent confrontation with the police and the Army by setting vehicles on fire.
Seeking public assistance in support of an investigation undertaken by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to apprehend the suspects, the police released video footage and the identikit of one of the suspects.
Police headquarters has requested that information regarding the suspects be passed on to the Superintendent in charge of
Digital Forensic Laboratory on 071-8591755, OIC in charge of the unit, on 071-8594919, and the CID on 011-2444265.
A senior police official, inquiring into the incidents, told The Island that they were hopeful of receiving public assistance, especially from those who had been peacefully protesting opposite the President’s private residence.
According to the official, unknown persons set fire to a bus, at around 11.20 pm, on 31 March. Subsequently, they set ablaze several other vehicles, belonging to the military and police. Responding to another query, the official said at the time unknown persons had set fire to vehicles, the police and the military hadn’t been present. Contrary to claims that the police, wearing helmets, had been present when the vehicles were set on fire, the arsonists were protesters, the police official said.
Pointing out that altogether 53 persons, who had been taken into custody, and produced in court, had been granted bail, in spite of some charges, under the Public Property Act, in respect of incidents at Mirihana, the top investigator said their priority was to identify the arsonists.
Civil society grouping, called Sinhala Sanvidana Ekamuthuwa (SSE), in a statement issued immediately after the Mirihana mayhem, questioned the possibility of some political elements setting vehicles ablaze. The group said that at the onset of the protest, the participants had been peaceful, though, subsequently, a group of persons triggered clashes resulting in the police launching a tear gas attack, coupled with water cannon and baton charge. The SSE asked whether the infiltrators were government or the Opposition activists bent on triggering chaos.
Senior DIG Ajith Rohana is on record as having said that the destruction of two buses and other vehicles caused losses amounting to Rs. 39 mn.
Those who have been granted bail were likely to face scrutiny as some of the arsonists could be among them, the police said. Law enforcement authorities said that possibility couldn’t be discontinued. Acknowledging the right to engage in protests, the police said that interested parties used social media to exploit the situation. Sources said that a 36-year-old person had been arrested at Thalawa, in the Nagoda police area, after the suspect, in a social media post, urged the public to kill police and military personnel. The police described the suspect as a heroin addict who had received treatment at Karapitiya and Mulleriyawa hospital for mental disorders.
The government lifted restrictions imposed on social media platforms less than 24 hours after directing the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission to block them, in the wake of Mirihana violence. The Human Rights Commission condemned the restrictions imposed on social media.
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
