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Wimal believes all-party govt. inclusive of JVP, can win world confidence
National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa, MP, has declared that an all-party government inclusive of the JVP will able to overcome the current economic crisis.
The former JVP heavyweight said so at a media briefing held at the party office in Pita Kotte.
Weerawansa said that the JVP’s inclusion would help the proposed administration to win the confidence of the international community. The former Industries Minister Weerawansa noted that the JVP no longer demanded President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation. Instead, it vowed to make economic recovery possible within six months. Therefore, a new administration that included the JVP could turn around the economy fast he said.
The JVP parliamentary group comprises three members, including one appointed on the National List.
The erstwhile JVPer said that the current crisis had created an environment for the interested parties to do away with Ceypetco’s domination of the oil market. The lawmaker said Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera’s recent declaration that the market would be opened to foreign players meant an attempt was being made to privatize this vital sector.
MP Weerawansa asked whether Minister Wiejesekera had disputed the then Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike’s decision to establish the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) at the expense of foreign entities.
Lanka IOC entered Sri Lanka market in 2003. Minister Wijesekera over the last weekend revealed that Lanka IOC wanted to set up 50 new service stations and take over a section of Ceypetco facilities as part of the overall measures to overcome the current crisis.
MP Weerawansa said that at the time UNP leader Wickremesinghe had faith in him. Unfortunately, he had not only lost public faith but was taking advantage of the crisis to pursue a strategy inimical to Sri Lanka. The former minister alleged that the incumbent government was exploiting the crisis to facilitate external interventions, particularly that of India.
Reiterating his call for an all-party caretaker board comprising Opposition Leader, the Premier’s representative as well as members of other political parties to decide on foreign currency account managed by the Central Bank, the NFF leader said that the current government should take tangible measures to regain lost public confidence. The ex-minister said had that happened Sri Lankans living overseas would contribute lavishly.
MP Weerawansa also stressed the urgent need to take legal measures to compel exporters to bring back export proceeds to the country.
The former minister strongly criticized the failure on the part of the government to take advantage of Russian oil like other Asian countries in the wake of unilateral sanctions imposed by the West over the war in Ukraine. MP Weerawansa pointed out that India had exploited the situation to its advantage whereas our incumbent government dragged its feet.
The MP dismissed two ministers undertaking a hastily arranged visit to Moscow to explore ways and means of securing gas and oil. The former JVPer said that Sri Lanka could end up addressing such matters with Russia in a shoddy manner.
The NFF leader also attacked the proposal to set up sea line of communications between South India and the Jaffna peninsula. The minister said that the country was entering dangerous grounds as the situation turned for the worse with civil life disrupted (SF)
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
