News
Anti-PTA battle cry to divert attention away from far bigger issues facing country
JVP questions motive of protest leaders
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The JVP-led Jathika Jana Balavegaya (JJB) says that those who have pledged their support for a protest march and rally in Colombo today (02) against what they called suppression of ‘Aragalaya’ activists, fully cooperated with the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government’s agenda.
Former JVP MP and trade union leader Wasantha Samarasinghe alleged that protests, demanding the abolition of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and the immediate releasing of those who had been detained in term of the draconian law, were nothing but despicable bid to deceive the masses. Samarasinghe served as an MP between 2004 and 2020. Ex-Anuradhapura District lawmaker Samarasinghe said that street protests should be resolutely backed by standing up against the government in Parliament. Unfortunately, those who masquerade as the Opposition, allowed the government to pursue its destructive policy, the former MP said.
The Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB), Sri Lanka Freedom party (SLFP), Nidahasa Jathika Sabhawa (SLPP rebel group led by Dullas Alahapperuma and Prof. GL. Peiris), the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and Frontline Socialist Party (FSP), Young Lawyers Association, Lanka Guru Sangamaya, Young Journalists Association, Sri Lanka Telecom Workers Union and several other groups are expected to join the protest near, Elphinstone cinema, Maradana.
Asked to explain, the JVPer pointed out that the vote on the Petroleum Products (Special Provisions) Amendment Bill taken, on October 18, revealed how those who vigorously opposed the government were conveniently absent at the time of the vote.
The former lawmaker said that only the JJB voted against the Bill as a political grouping recognized in Parliament. Three JJB members Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Vijitha Herath and Dr. Harini Amarasuriya voted against the Bill, along with 14 other members, whereas 77 voted for it.
Pointing out that 130 lawmakers, of the 225-member Parliament, skipped that vote, trade union activist Samarasinghe said it was not an isolated incident. The ex-MP said that the JJB exposed the doublespeak of those in the Opposition by calling for a division. MP Vijitha Herath did so on behalf of the JJB.
That Bill was meant to liberalize the petroleum sector by allowing international suppliers to enter the local market as retail operators and do away with the monopoly of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) on jet fuel, Samarasinghe said.
The ex-MP alleged that the same group acted identically when the Parliament voted for the Social Security Contribution Levy Bill, on September 08. The Bill, meant to collect Rs 140 bn annually, received the backing of 91 lawmakers, whereas only 10, including three JJB members, voted against, Samarasinghe said.
The JVPer challenged the SJB, rebel SLPPers and others in the Opposition to prove their commitment to a common campaign against the government. Beforehand, they owed the people an explanation why they skipped votes on Social Security Contribution Levy Bill and the Petroleum Products (Special Provisions) Amendment Bill on September 08 and October 17, respectively, Samarasinghe said.
The ex-Parliamentarian warned the public against those trying to divert public attention from the government moves to privatise key sectors. The conduct of political parties, represented in Parliament in the passage of the Petroleum Products (Special Provisions) Amendment Bill, should be examined, taking into consideration the Yugadanavi deal, Samarasinghe said.
The JVP firebrand said that it would be a joke to get on the same stage with people who tacitly backed the Yugadanavi deal, finalized at midnight, on September 17 last year. Flaying Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s government for the agreement with the US-based New Fortress Energy, Samarasinghe said the opening of the petroleum market was part of their overall strategy. The issue over the PTA was being utilized as a rallying point for the Opposition while the government moved ahead with its economic plan, the ex-MP said.
Samarasinghe pointed out that a section of the international community, too, wants the PTA abolished. “We, too, are opposed to the PTA, though there are far bigger issues. If we get trapped in an anti-PTA protest campaign that would facilitate the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa strategy,” Samarasighe 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
