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PHU: UNHRC resolution could be tied to aid for Sri Lanka
… country’s unitary status may be in jeopardy
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader Udaya Gammanpila, MP, has warned that the forthcoming resolution at the Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) could be tied to financial assistance as the incumbent government struggled to cope up with the developing political-economic-social crisis. The UNHCR consists of 47 countries, divided into five groups.
Asserting that a heavy defeat was inevitable at the vote expected to take place before Oct 07, Attorney-at-Law Gammanpila told the media yesterday (19) that Western powers would exert pressure on Sri Lanka on the basis of the outcome. The lawmaker declared that the UNHRC could transform the resolution as a weapon and the bankrupt country could be placed in an extremely uncomfortable situation.
The Sri Lanka Core Group, led by the UK, has proposed that Sri Lankan leaders and officials guilty of economic crimes face travel bans, freezing of assets and other legal action.
Lawmaker Gammanpila asserted that the resolution against Sri Lanka could receive 24 or more votes. The PHU leader compared the growing threat faced by Sri Lanka with the crisis experienced by Indonesia in 1997 that ultimately forced Jakarta to allow an independent state in East Timor. The MP urged Western powers not to undermine Sri Lanka’s unitary status at a time the country was experiencing economic fallout.
MP Gammanpila said that the rebel SLPP group publicly warned the country of the impending danger from the powers that be to deliberately weaken the economy to create an environment conducive for the separatist project and also to privatize profit-making state enterprises.
Blaming former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s government for allowing the deterioration of the national economy, MP Gammanpila said that the incumbent government lacked a proper plan to overcome the daunting Geneva challenge.
Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, PC, recently declared that not only individuals but entire fighting divisions had been ‘blacklisted’, he pointed out and urged the government to set the record straight in Geneva and also at the forthcoming United Nations General Assembly in New York. Declaring that the country is in a crossroads, the former minister said that the latest Geneva resolution could pave the way for unprecedented manipulation of Sri Lanka.
Referring to a statement issued by the UK based Global Tamil Forum (GTF), lawmaker Gammanpila alleged that the government seemed to be very weak in its defence. “They are on the offensive. They feel, Sri Lanka, in economic difficulties can be manipulated to accept a remedy that’ll further undermine the political and economic independence,” MP Gammanpila 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
