News
Godahewa compares move on SriLankan Catering with H’tota port sell-off
‘IMF deal no panacea for all our ills’
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Gampaha District MP Dr. Nalaka Godahewa has accused the cash-strapped government of planning to sell-off profitable state enterprises to raise funds. Comparing the proposed privatization of SriLankan Catering with the sell-off of the Hambantota port, in 2017, by the Yahapalana government, Dr. Godahewa pointed out that such strategies would be disastrous, in the long term, as the Treasury lost annual income from such highly profitable ventures.
One-time Viyathmaga activist estimated the annual SriLanka Catering profits at Rs. 3bn. The government has also been accused of planning to sell-off other cash cows, like the SLT and the SLIC.
At a meeting organized by the ‘Nidahas Janatha Sabhawa,’ in Kandy, over the last weekend, lawmaker Godahewa dealt with the developing economic-political and social crisis with the focus on the controversial staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a USD 2.9 bn loan facility. Among those present were SLPP rebel group members Prof. G.L. Peiris, Prof. Charitha Herath and Prof. Channa Jayasumana.
Acknowledging the daunting challenge, faced by President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s government in coping up with the unprecedented economic fallout, Dr. Godahewa stressed that the incumbent administration couldn’t, under any circumstances, deprive the right of the Parliament to receive a copy of the agreement with the IMF.
The IMF, on September 01, announced the finalization of the agreement for what it called Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for USD 2.9 bn meant to restore macroeconomic stability and ensure debt sustainability. Demanding that the agreement be tabled in Parliament, without further delay, Dr. Godahewa alleged that the government was making a silly attempt to portray the EFF funding, made available over a four-year period, as panacea for the economic fallout.
“The developing crisis is so acute, the economic recovery cannot be solely dependent on the IMF loan facility,” Dr. Godahewa told The Island, urging the government to take the public into confidence, without further delay.
“If the Parliament is responsible for public finance and enactment of laws, there cannot be any justifiable reason to deprive its members of their right to know the contents. The issue at hand is whether the Cabinet-of-Ministers is aware of the IMF deal,” Dr. Godahewa said.
Addressing the gathering in the hill capital, lawmaker Godahewa said that the public response, as well as of theirs to the staff-level agreement, would depend on the contents of the agreement.
He urged the government to disclose the agreement on increasing of taxes, as well as services provided by the government and the impact on the hapless public. Profit-making state enterprises, guarantee a transparent process in respect of the proposed restructuring of both loss- /profit-making state enterprises, agreement on pruning of the public sector, compensation for those to be retrenched, free health and education, he said.
Dr. Godahewa said that the government couldn’t go ahead with such a far reaching agreement, without consulting all political parties represented in Parliament. The Parliament couldn’t be deprived of its legitimate right to be informed and assert overall authority regarding the agreement, Dr. Godahewa said, finding fault with the government for not taking the Parliament into confidence, before the Central Bank announced Sri Lanka’s decision to suspend repayment of debt.
At the time the CBSL Governor, Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, made the announcement, Gotabaya Rajapaksa served as the President and head of the Cabinet-of-Ministers, whereas some described the move as a pre-emptive negotiated default.
Dr. Godahewa asserted that the government should have discussed the issue at hand with creditors before such an announcement was made. Such unilateral actions undermined political and economic stability, in addition to creditors losing confidence in the country.
Strongly condemning efforts to deceive the public, on the basis of the much-touted agreement with the IMF, Dr. Godahewa reminded the government that the promised USD 2.9 bn loan facility to be received, over a period of four years, whereas Sri Lanka needed approximately USD 4 bn for repayment of its outstanding debt this year.
Pointing out that Sri Lanka required USD 4-5 bn, over the next couple of years, to service its debt, Dr. Godahewa asked the government to divulge how it intended to address the daunting task.
The MP warned President Wickremesinghe, and the SLPP, not to refrain from settling the debt during the remainder of Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s presidency.
The SLPP, on July 20, ensured the election Wickremesinghe by Parliament, as the 8th President, to complete the remainder of his predecessor’s term. Gotabaya Rajapaksa was elected in Nov 2019 for a five-year period, with a thumping majority.
Dr. Godahewa said that a tangible action plan was needed as the country experienced a USD 5 bn deficit in income and expenditure. Therefore, the SLPP-led government couldn’t overcome the crisis, through political jugglery, and effective measures were required to increase the income. The one-time Chairman of the highly profitable Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation asserted that foreign reserves should be increased to at least USD 10 bn. That would be the key to solving the crisis, Dr. Godahewa said, strongly criticizing the government for not addressing the issue seriously.
Lawmaker Godahewa said that the government shouldn’t exploit the balance of payments crisis to sell off national assets. Referring to the giving away of the Hambantota port on a 99-year lease by the Yahapalana administration, Dr. Godahewa asked whether anyone knew how USD 1.1, received from the Chinese deal, was spent.
During thenCOPE proceedings, several months ago, both the Finance Ministry and SLPA officials admitted that they weren’t aware how USD 1.1 bn was spent.
News
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.”
News
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.
News
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.