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TNA: Budget needs to be consistent with IMF economic reform program and macroeconomic framework
TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran told Parliament that the Government must rethink its priorities and address the needs of the lower income classes of the country. Sumanthiran pointed out that the Government, despite promises, has not allocated funds to provide the promised subsidy for kerosene but is making essentials necessary for the country’s middle class and upper-middle class readily available.
“The Government is making petrol and super diesel available but there is a shortage of diesel and kerosene. The priority must be the other way around. The needs of those who need the support most must be prioritised,” he said. The TNA MP said he believes the Government has taken this course of action in a bid to silence the protests of the country’s middle and upper-middle class. “The Government is doing this because it thinks by silencing the dissent of the middle and upper-middle class it can get away with blue murder,” he accused. According to the MP, the interim Budget has only further burdened the lower-income classes of the country. “Hoping to supply the Budget deficit through local revenue is not the answer,” he said. Sumanthiran pointed out that many shootings and killings are taking place across the country. “Police are not investigating these crimes and are instead being deployed in the thousands to stifle genuine protests by the people. Around 1000 policemen are deployed to stop a protest march of just 500 people. Earlier tear gas and water cannons were used on protestors and now the Government is using the Prevention of Terrorism Act to repress them as well,” he noted. He also questioned if the President is attempting to appeal to some sections of the country. “The President signed the recent detention orders in Sinhala, whereas he usually signs in English.
Is there a sudden change of personality? Is he trying to appeal to certain sections of society by signing in Sinhala?” he asked. The MP pointed out that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has announced the Staff-Level Agreement with Sri Lanka but based on several conditions. “Even as it was announced the IMF released this statement and I quote – ‘the new Staff-Level Agreement is subject to the approval of IMF management and the Executive Board in the period ahead, contingent on the implementation by the authorities of prior actions including financial assurances from Sri Lanka’s official creditors.’ In other words, this is contingent on something that has not been done yet. We hope the Government sees to this,” he said. But the MP also pointed out that to fulfil these obligations the Budget needs to be consistent with the economic reform program and macro-economic framework underlying by the IMF. Pointing out Japan’s denial of hosting a debt restructuring conference on Sri Lanka contrary to President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s claims, Sumanthiran said the people must be told the whole truth. “People are being told what they like to hear,” he said.
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
