News
Advisability of relying on IGP to conduct impartial probe questioned
Monday’s violence:
Over 200 wounded in clashes, Gnana Akka’s home, shrine destroyed
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Police Spokesperson SSP Nihal Thalduwa yesterday (10) said that local police would investigate incidents where properties belonging to members of Parliament were set ablaze, and the CID would investigate the unprovoked attacks a group of SLPP supporters carried out on anti-government protesters on Monday.
Over 200 persons received injuries during clashes on Monday, while a police constable wounded in an explosion caused by a tear gas canister near Temple Trees, succumbed to his injuries after being admitted to the National Hospital.
On Monday, mobs also destroyed the Anuradhapura home and shrine of Gnana Akka, a self-proclaimed clairvoyante, popular among powerful politicians and others.
Attorney-at-Law Thalduwa said that IGP C.D. Wikremaratne directed the DIG, in charge of the CID to investigate the incidents in the Kollupitiya and Fort police areas.
Police headquarters issued a statement regarding the launch of a special CID investigation in the wake of the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) demanding the arrest of former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa over the incidents. SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara is on record as having alleged that the former Premier instigated the attack.
Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam, PC, has asked the IGP to conduct a thorough inquiry into the SLPP (Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna) mob attacks on a group of peaceful protesters.
SSP Thalduwa acknowledged that substantial damages had been caused to private properties in several parts of the country. Mobs caused extensive damage to Avenra Hotel where they torched a Lamborghini and Bay Fonte and Grandeeza hotels.
Top SJB spokesperson Mujibur Rahman questioned the rationale behind the IGP issuing instructions to DIG, CID. He said that the IGP should be held responsible for allowing the incidents outside Temple Trees and the Galle Face. “We have no faith in the incumbent IGP,” the former UNP MP said, calling for a thorough inquiry into the police chief’s complicity in SLPP goon attack.
Responding to another query, Rahman alleged that the SLPP had mounted a carefully planned operation. Premier Rajapaksa and all those members of Parliament who had been present at the Temple Trees meeting should be held accountable. MP Rahman called for punitive action against all of them regardless of their standing in the society.
He said that the police and the armed forces had failed to control the situation in spite of the promulgation of emergency at midnight on 07 May. There hadn’t been a coordinated response on the part of the police and the armed forces at all, lawmaker Rahman said, adding the loss of property and damages caused could be quite significant.
The lawmaker said that the government was yet to release a full list of properties damaged in Colombo and its suburbs and the provinces.
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
