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Probe panel ‘indicts’ Sasikala for events leading to Jayalalithaa’s death
BY S VENKAT NARAYAN
Our Special Correspondent
NEW DELHI: A probe panel inquiring into the death of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayaram Jayalalithaa six years ago has recommended a probe against her aide VK Sasikala and the state’s former health officials.In its report, the Justice A Arumughaswamy Commission of Inquiry (CoI) said that it “indicts” Sasikala for the events that led to Jayalalithaa’s death and recommended a probe into the matter.
The report was tabled by the Tamil Nadu government in the assembly in Chennai on Tuesday.It said that former health minister C Vijayabaskar, the then health secretary J Radhakrishnan and KS Sivakumar, a medical doctor, “have to be found at fault and an investigation is to be ordered.”
It also recommended a probe against the then chief secretary Rama Mohana Rao and others, including doctors.Vijayabaskar is an AIADMK leader and a legislator. Jayalalithaa had headed the AIADMK.The Arumughaswamy commission had earlier presented the report to Chief Minister Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin.
The report asked why the former chief minister was not taken abroad for treatment even after Dr Richard Beale was prepared to take her overseas.It also noted that, even after eminent doctors from the UK and the US who had reached Apollo hospital on the invitation from the state government, had suggested angioplasty, it was not conducted.
“They (hospital) successfully threw it to the wind on the pretext of postponing it to achieve their aim under some pressure. Hence, investigation is to be ordered,” it said.
The CoI’s Terms of Reference (ToR) was to inquire into the circumstances and situation leading to Jayalalithaa’s hospitalisation on 22 September, 2016 and subsequent treatment provided till her death on 5 December, 2016.In its finding, as regards the first part of the ToR on circumstances leading to the late AIADMK supremo’s hospitalisation, the Commission said it “has not found anything abnormal or unnatural” in the conduct of the people including Sasikala.
Adequate care was taken to shift Jayalalithaa to the Apollo Hospital promptly without delay, it said.On the other aspect of the ToR, the Commission indicted people including Sasikala. The CoI in its 475-page report goes into an allegation of conspiracy against Sasikala and her relatives based on a reportage in a Tamil magazine.
The panel said that it was very clear that, “only on strong suspicion,” Jayalalithaa sent Sasikala out of her Poes Garden residence in Chennai (from November 2011 to March 2012).Subsequently, after getting a letter from Sasikala that she would not interfere in politics, Jayalalithaa allowed her back into her Poes Garden residence and the leader kept her “at a distance.”
On a plea to cross-examine former chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswamy, the panel said the applicant has not given sufficient reasons for it.
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
