News
SLPP loses simple majority, bid to collect signatures in support of PM failed – Udaya
‘Certain defeat at NCM vote can be avoided only by PM’s resignation’
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader Udaya Gammanpila yesterday (25) claimed that the ruling SLPP government parliamentary group no longer had a simple majority in Parliament.
Addressing the media at the PHU office, at Kotte Road, Pita Kotte, Attorney-at-Law Gammanpila said that 120 lawmakers, representing both the government and the Opposition, had taken a stand, contrary to that of the SLPP.
Former Energy Minister Gammanpila said that at the onset of the crisis, the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) had sought to move a no-faith motion against the government.
However, the SJB had been told not to do so unless it was sure of the support of at least 113 members, MP Gammanpila said.
Lawmaker Gammanpila said that they warned the no-faith motion could end up as a show of confidence. But, now 65 Opposition members grouping had been joined by 39 member SLPP grouping, in addition to 10-member government group that asked for the resignation of the Cabinet to pave the way for an interim administration and three Opposition members who voted for the 20th Amendment to the Constitution returning to their parties, MP Gammanpila said.
Declaring that the group opposed to the government now comprised 117 members, the former minister pointed out that three others-Media Minister Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, his predecessor Dullas Alahapperuma and Chairman of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Prof. Charitha Herath had called for an interim administration to settle the political crisis.
Lawmaker Gammanpila claimed that in addition to them, there were several others prepared to vote for a no-faith motion against the SLPP government.
MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara, General Secretary of the SJB yesterday said that over 120 lawmakers backed the proposed no-faith motion. MP Bandara said so following talks with SLPP rebels.
Reiterating their demand for the entire Cabinet-of-Ministers, including the Prime Minister to quit, former Minister Gammanpila claimed that a recent attempt by the SLPP to obtain signatures of members in support of the Premier had to be abandoned as only 46 declared their support.
The SLPP parliamentary group comprises 145 members, just five short of 2/3 majority in Parliament.
MP Gammanpila challenged SLPP General Secretary Attorney -at-Law Sagara Kariyawasam to reveal the list of signatures. The PHU leader said that the government could avoid certain defeat at the forthcoming no-confidence motion by asking the Cabinet-of -Ministers to resign. “If the Prime Minister resigned, other members of the Cabinet of Minister will leave,” MP Gammanpila said.
In the wake of the rapidly developing political crisis, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa swore in a new cabinet of about 20 and 28 State Ministers.
Recalling how Mahinda Rajapaksa swiftly left the Temple Trees after his defeat at the 2015 presidential election, MP Gammanpila alleged that a small clique of persons close to the Premier was making a desperate attempt to compel the twice President to continue.
MP Gammanpila warned that unless the PM was allowed to step down, they would be forced to name those who were preventing the Prime Minister from leaving office.
The former Minister said that Mahinda Rajapaksa should be given an opportunity to honorably leave active politics. Gammanpila accused those around the PM of destroying him for their personal benefit.
MP Gammanpila said that their strategy was on track with more members of Parliament seeking consensus with them and political parties working together to bring the situation under control.
The PHU leader reiterated their concerns about the defection of SLFPer Shantha Bandara engineered by the SLPP.
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
