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Lankan envoy in US: Peaceful protests won’t be stifled
Responding to a call by 10 U.S. lawmakers, to the Department of State, to ensure the Sri Lankan government protects the rights of citizens, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United States, Mahinda Samarasinghe, asserted that democratic and peaceful protests will not be stifled.
Expressing concern over the unprecedented and disastrous economic crisis and anti-government protests, 10 members of the U.S. Congress have written to US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, and US Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator, Samantha Power, calling on them to provide additional support to Sri Lanka and to ensure the rights of protesters.
“We urge the State Department to continue to use all diplomatic means available to ensure the Sri Lankan government protects the right of suffering citizens to peacefully protest and does not utilize violence against peaceful demonstrators and journalists,” the lawmakers wrote.
Ambassador Samarasinghe, addressing the U.S. lawmakers’ concerns, asserted that democratic and peaceful protests, and protestors, will be respected, and will not be stifled.
“Their voice will be heard through new measures to consult the people’s views and promote a culture of participatory governance,” he assured.
However, the Ambassador stressed that Sri Lankan State does not condone acts of violence, destruction of public and private property by acts of arson or vandalism, obstruction of normal civilian life, and governmental function, nor other lawless acts.
“These, you will agree, do not fall under the broad rubric of peaceful protests, nor of democratic dissent,” the Ambassador noted.
The U.S. lawmakers urged the Administration to continue to support the Sri Lankan government, and people, as they work to implement democratic and economic reforms.
“We urge USAID to take immediate action to provide additional relief to the Sri Lankan people, including increased food, medical, and fuel aid,” said the group of Congress members.
Expressing gratitude to the support provided by the United States to Sri Lanka to overcome the challenges the country is facing, Ambassador Samarasinghe apprised the Congresspersons of recent developments in diverse fields that address some issues and concerns mentioned in their communication.
He informed that Sri Lanka’s Parliament will debate an interim budget on August 30 through September 02 that will enable the process of economic recovery while maintaining essential supplies and services that support a return to normal civic life.
He asserted that while economic stabilization is a priority, efforts to uphold democratic values, the rule of law, promote and protect human rights and foster reconciliation continue undiminished.
The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, presented to Parliament, is expected to transfer significant powers, from the Presidency to a parliamentary body – the Constitutional Council – which is a body representative of the legislature and civil society, the Ambassador explained.
The Sri Lankan envoy said Sri Lanka hopes to work closely with USAID in delivering relief to the Sri Lankan people and look forward to welcoming Ambassador Samantha Power to Sri Lanka when she makes a short visit to the country, next month.
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US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
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.”
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Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
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.
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CIPM successfully concludes 8th Annual Symposium
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.