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‘Corruption is root cause of Lanka’s political and economic crisis’
SLID enters into strategic collaboration with TISL to launch ‘Business Against Corruption’
The Sri Lanka Institute of Directors (SLID) recently entered into a strategic collaboration with Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) to launch an initiative under the theme ‘Business Against Corruption’. Under this theme, the two institutions will work together to facilitate and enable businesses to mitigate the risk of corruption. The roadmap planned over a three-year time horizon includes a series of programs and activities to create awareness on the issue, key stakeholder engagements, training programs incorporating international best practices on the subject, instilling sound values of transparency, accountability, integrity, fair market competition, fair pricing, ethical business practices, credible leadership and building a strong inner resilience framework.
SLID Chairman Faizal Salieh said: “We are mindful of the current state of affairs, the ground realities, and the challenges faced by companies in doing business. Therefore, our approach on this journey is pragmatic and practical and will enable businesses to proactively and progressively mitigate the corruption risk using preventive measures, checks and balances on a voluntary, ‘best efforts’ basis.”
TISL Executive Director Nadishani Perera said: “Businesses play a critical role in any nation’s efforts against corruption. At this unique and transformative moment in Sri Lanka’s history, as the citizens have risen against corruption, it is of utmost importance that the business community also commits to do its part towards this mission. TISL is honoured to partner with SLID to support this ‘Business Against Corruption’ initiative, with renewed hope for the country.”
Both SLID and TISL are committed to working closely with the business community to raise the integrity of our nation and make it a better investment destination.
SLID said corruption has been identified as a root cause of the current political and economic crisis in Sri Lanka by several analysts. It exists at the business, public, and Government levels and needs to be addressed in the national search for solutions to the present crisis with a view to ensuring the country’s economic recovery and long-term sustainability. Corruption endangers and discourages investment, leads to the misallocation of resources, creates uncertainty, and results in high social costs. Mitigating corruption will make way for Sri Lanka to become an attractive destination for good, long-term investments.
Corruption has plagued Sri Lanka for many years and still continues to do so. Sri Lanka is ranked 102nd in Transparency International’s most recent Corruption Perception Index (2021), which ranks 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption. Article IV of the report recommends that “efforts to strengthen governance and reduce corruption vulnerabilities should continue.”
In the absence of strong legal requirements for corporates to prevent and resist corruption, it is imperative that the business sector looks to international best practices and alternative voluntary avenues in order to uphold standards of ethics and integrity in business.SLID believes that now is the time for companies to step forward in response to the compelling national need to eliminate corruption and be part of a collective business action to progressively strengthen their internal resilience against corruption at the strategic level and transaction level.
“Crises, as serious as the one we have now, consume people and systems. We as a people should pursue what is good and right for the country in the long-term, and rise above narrow short-term interests. At this turning point of our nation, making appropriate long-term structural changes is imperative,” SLID added.
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
