News
Myanmar white rice controversy: House probe on, Trade Ministry claims agreement rescinded
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Chairman of the Committee of Public Finance (COPF) Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, MP yesterday (27) said that for want of proper Finance Ministry supervision, cash-strapped Sri Lanka suffered staggering losses in both local and foreign transactions. Rebel SLPP MP Yapa said that an agreement with Myanmar for the importation of rice this year to meet the shortfall in the supply attracted their attention as Sri Lanka was reported to have paid USD 450 per metric tonne of rice without even bothering to check the quality whereas other countries bought the same variety for USD 350 per tonne. If not for the Myanmar media revelation the matter might have escaped their attention, the former SLFP Minister said.
Lawmaker Yapa said that the issue at hand should be examined against the backdrop of the deepening forex crisis. Responding to another query, lawmaker Yapa said that COPF recently raised the issue with the Finance Ministry. Unfortunately, the Finance Ministry representative, who had appeared at the COPF meeting, responded that the Trade Ministry handled the transaction though they provided the required funds. Lawmaker Yapa said that COPF expected the Finance Ministry to inquire into this matter without delay.
The then Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena in early Feb this year announced plans to import 100,00 metric tons of white rice through Sri Lanka State Trading (General) Corporation. Lawmaker Yapa said that the Trade Ministry would have to be summoned before the COPF to inquire into the Myanmar deal. However, the Trade Ministry claimed that though the government entered into an agreement with Myanmar for the import of 100,000 metric tonnes of rice, it was rescinded. The ministry official said that they, too, inquired into Myanmar media reports regarding Sri Lanka paying USD 100 more than for a tonne of white rice. According to him, the trade ministry had sought an explanation from the Myanmar diplomatic mission here as regards the discrepancy in prices offered to Sri Lanka and other countries. Asked to explain how the country bridged the shortfall in the local supply of rice, the ministry official said that rice stocks were only imported from India. The official acknowledged that the Finance Ministry might have been unaware of the cancellation of the agreement with Myanmar.
COPF Chairman Yapa emphasized that the country was in such a desperate situation whoever wielded political power now as well as those in authority years before should be held accountable. Responding to another query, lawmaker Yapa said that proceedings of parliamentary watchdog committees showed a bleak picture. Waste, corruption, mismanagement and irregularities seemed to be the order of the day, lawmaker Yapa said, calling for remedial measures without further delay.
The former minister said that the current political crisis could make matters worse. The MP pointed out how the forex issue quickly developed into an unprecedented political crisis now threatening the country. Meanwhile, Secretary to the Trade Ministry Badrani Jayawardena has been replaced by Neil Bandara Hapuwinna. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has made the new appointment in the wake of Shehan Semasinghe succeeding the trade minister Bandula Gunawardena. Bandula Gunawardena’s tenure as the trade minister was marred by the exposure of the garlic racket.
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
