News
LG polls: SLPP rebels ask EC to set process in motion forthwith
question delay in seeking required funding
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Prof. G.L.Peiris yesterday (03) said that if Local Government polls were to be held by March 20, 2023 as scheduled, the Election Commission (EC) should take tangible measures to set the process in motion.The former Foreign Minister Prof. Peiris said that the EC should ask for required funds from the government and make the necessary administrative appointments to prepare the groundwork.
However, the EC was yet to request for the necessary funding, the SLPP Chairman and National List MP told the media at the Nawala office of Nidahas Janatha Sabhawa comprising over a dozen rebel government members.Prof. Peiris said that his group had received an assurance from the EC about two weeks back that it would take steps to conduct LG polls by March 20, 2023. Appreciating the assurance given by Chairman of the EC Attorney-at-Law Nimal Punchihewa, Prof. Peiris said that as far as he was aware the EC was yet to ask for required funding.
Referring to the recent proposals made by Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakse, PC, to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena for the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) for electoral reforms, including at the level of LG, Prof. Peiris alleged that it was nothing but a ruse to put off the polls.The academic asked how the ruling party could even consider such a proposal against the backdrop of a comprehensive set of proposals made by a PSC headed by none other than the current Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, leader of the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP).
Prof. Peiris pointed out that Dinesh Gunawardena’s committee produced the report that was handed over to the government about four years ago after nearly eight years of deliberations. The former minister said that the government should be ashamed of its efforts to further put off the scheduled elections at a time even the International Monetary Fund (IMF) questioned the legitimacy of the government.
At the onset of the briefing, the National List MP explained how the government, now engaged in talks with the IMF could benefit by conducting the scheduled polls regardless of the outcome. Prof. Peiris stressed that the responsibility on the part of the government to secure legitimacy if it was keen to finalise the agreement on USD 2.9 bn loan facility by end of this year. The postponement of LG polls against the backdrop of the indefinite delay in Provincial Council polls wouldn’t be acceptable to the IMF, he asserted.
Prof. Peiris maintained that the government was so unpopular it couldn’t win even 20 percent of the votes cast at the next election.The ex-minister said that political parties and groups in the Opposition recently reached an understanding as regards counter measures against government bid to put off LG polls. “We’ll move the Supreme Court if the government sought to further postpone scheduled elections,” Prof. Peiris said.
Referring to several Supreme Court decisions given over the years in respect of matters concerning elections, Prof. Peiris stressed that one particular ruling stressed the responsibility on the part of the government to provide required funding. Another ruling underscored that LG polls couldn’t be put off unless approved by the electorate at a referendum.The rebel leader said that the Opposition wouldn’t accept under any circumstances the change of the composition of the EC comprising five persons.
Responding to a spate of questions regarding Wednesday’s protest in Colombo called by an Opposition political grouping, Prof. Peiris said that the rebel SLPP group backed that initiative. The genuine Opposition backed such protests meant to pressure the government to stop arrests in terms of the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), the former minister 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
