News
Lawyers, docs lead call for resignation of both Prez and PM
… recommend Cabinet of 18, abolition of 20-A
A civil society group comprising professionals representing various field has called for the immediate resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, followed by Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa to pave the way for the election of a new President from among members of Parliament and the formation of a caretaker /interim national government with a new PM.
Calling themselves Direction Sri Lanka, the grouping has called for the establishment of a Cabinet of 18 members along with an equal number of Deputy Ministers, representing all political parties.
The group has rejected the swearing in of new Cabinet by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in response to ongoing public protests and campaign undertaken by the parliamentary opposition.
The signatories include many prominent lawyers, academics and medical doctors. The following is the text of a statement issued by Direction Sri Lanka titled ‘A step towards change’ following two days of consultations on April 18th and 19th:: The group deliberated at length;
i.
the dire economic and social distress presently faced by all Sri Lankans and the proximate causes that led to the persistent demands of protestors throughout the country;
ii. The possibility of the current situation escalating to a complete breakdown in the Rule of Law resulting in a state of anarchy; and
iii.
The immediate action that needs to be taken to address this serious situation, within the framework of the Constitution and the Law.
The group resolved that;
1)
THE FOLLOWING ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN IMMEDIATELY a) His Excellency the President to resign forthwith in response to the demands of the People.
1.b)
A Successor President be elected.
2.c)
The Prime Minister to forthwith resign after the election of the Successor President.
3.
[Article 38 (1) (b) of the Constitution provides for the resignation of the President by means of a communication addressed to the Speaker.]
[Article 40 (1) (a) of the Constitution provides for Parliament to elect as President one of its Members for the unexpired period of office.]
[Article 47 (2) (b) of the Constitution provides for the resignation of the Prime Minister by means of a communication addressed to the President. Upon the resignation of the Prime Minister, the entire Cabinet stands dissolved.]
1.d)
A Caretaker / Interim National Government be immediately formed comprising a new Prime Minister and a Cabinet limited to 18 essential portfolios along with an equal number of Deputy Ministers, representing all political parties.
2.
The Caretaker / Interim National Government shall function for a maximum period of one year.
The persons holding portfolios in the Caretaker / Interim Cabinet should have adequate and appropriate educational qualifications and specialized skills required to hold the respective portfolios and should be persons of the highest integrity.
Members of Parliament on the National List should be encouraged to resign as necessary, to pave way for professionals / experts of the highest integrity to be represented in the Caretaker / Interim National Government. e) As a priority during the period of the Caretaker / Interim National Government, action should be taken to rescind the 20th Amendment to the Constitution and to reintroduce the provisions of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution with necessary amendments addressing the democratic way of governance.
f)
Immediately upon the reintroduction of the 19th Amendment, steps to be taken to appoint persons with the highest integrity and ability to the Independent Commissions.
2) MANDATORY PROGRAMME OF ACTION FOR THE CARETAKER / INTERIM NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
a) Have a moratorium on the sale of the Country’s Assets (This will not be a bar for investments to come into the Country subject to due procedures, process and transparency).
b) Establish through legislation, a transparent Government Procurement Process which ensures accountability and the interest of the Country at all times.
c) Appoint a group of experts with core competencies in economic management to advice the Government on the steps to be taken to revive the economy of the country.
d) Upon such advice;
Secure Bridge Financing at concessionary interest rates and conditions. No commercial financing with commercial interest rates to be obtained during this period.
– Conclude agreements with the IMF and other Financial Agencies following due parliamentary process and with complete transparency.
– Take prompt action to ensure the provision of essential services and supplies to the public.
– Take all measures to stabilize the Rupee.
e)
Hold National Elections (Presidential and Parliamentary as appropriate) within a maximum period of one year and enact such Constitutional amendments as may be necessary, reflecting the will of the people.
[In the attendant special circumstances and the weak economic situation, priority to be given to the conduct of National Elections respectively, over other elections including Local Government and Provincial Council Elections.]
f)
Strictly observe the Rule of Law including the measures to protect and consolidate the wealth of the nation.
1.g) Take immediate measures to ensure the efficacy of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption.
We call upon the Government and the Opposition to take concerted action to ensure that the foregoing is implemented immediately.
Whilst we were in the process of drafting this Statement with Proposals, we heard the news of the death of a protester due to gunshot injuries. The use of lethal force against unarmed protesters is unacceptable and inexcusable. We unreservedly and unequivocally condemn such action. Such conduct will only result in infuriating the people.
We therefore call upon the Government to act with utmost restraint and ensure that the Fundamental Rights of the people including the Rights to Peaceful Protest and of Association, are protected and safeguarded.
On behalf of the People of Sri Lanka; (In alphabetical order)
Ramzara Abdeen, AAL
Neville Abeyratne, PC
Geoffrey Alagaratnam, PC
Mohamed Adamaly, AAL
Dr. Ajith Amarasingha
Dr. Naomali Amarasena
Rajeev Amarasuriya, AAL
Naceen Anthonypillai
Rienzie Arasakularatne, PC
G.G. Arulpragasam, AAL
Dr. Sunil Cooray, AAL
Prasantha Lal de Alwis, PC
Chanaka De Silva, PC
Dr. Sarath De Silva
Prof. Harendra De Silva
Dr. Sarath Gamini De Silva
Father Noel Dias, AAL
Dulitha Fernando
Prof. Ranvindra Fernando
Dr. Amitha Fernando
Nipuna Ganegoda
Dr. Upul Gunasekera
Mrs. Shiranthi Gunawardena, AAL
Dr. Rohan Gunawardene
Dr. Ruvaiz Haniffa
Prof. Siri Hettige
Gazzali Hussain, AAL
Kalinga Indatissa, PC
Nalinda Indatissa, PC
S.T. Jayanaga, PC
Janek Jayasekara
Shantha Jayawardena, AAL
Sanjeewa Kaluarachchi, AAL
Namal Karunaratne, AAL
Prof. Indika Karunathilleke
Prof. Prasad Katulanda
Thejitha Koralage, AAL
Dr. A. L. M. Nazar
Dr. S. Marasinghe
Ikram Mohamed, PC
Udara Muhandiramge, AAL
Faisz Musthapha, PC
Dinuka Perera
Dr. Nilupul Perera
Srinath Perera, PC
Dinal Philips, PC
Anushka Polonowita
Anuja Premaratne, PC
V. Puvitharan, PC
Dr. M. R. Ragunathan
Dr. Lalantha Ranasinghe
Pasindu Silva, AAL
Dr. Manilka Sumanathileke
Chavinka Sumanthilleke
Chrishmal Warnasuriya, AAL
Dr. Sunil Wijesinghe
Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama
Prof. Chandrika Wijeyaratne
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
