News
AG prevents murder convict from attending Pradeshiya Sabha meeting
MP Premalal’s parnter in crime not so lucky
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Commissioner General of Prisons Thushara Upuldeniya has recently brought to the notice of Justice Ministry Secretary Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Mayadunne, the absence of rules and regulations pertaining to a convicted prisoner being allowed to attend local government sittings.
Upuldeniya, in a letter dated Oct 5, 2020, having pointed out the lapse on their part and sought Justice Secretary’s advice how to handle a request made by Counsel for Kahawatte Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Mannika Waduge Vajira Darshana Silva, sentenced to death in addition to 47-year prison term over a killing in Kahawatte police area in January 2015.
Silva contested the last Local Government polls in Feb 2018 on Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) ticket.
According to Upuldeniya’s missive, Silva had been remanded at the Welikada prison since July 31, 2020 pending hearing of his appeal against the verdict given by the Ratnapura High Court.
Justice Minister Ali Sabry, PC, told The Island yesterday that the Prisons Chief’s request had been forwarded to the Attorney General.
State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne, who is also the Attorney General’s Coordinating Officer, citing relevant sections of Local Government Statute as well as the Criminal Procedure Code, told The Island that the person concerned was not eligible to take part in local government proceedings whatsoever. She pointed out that the Court of Appeal proceedings had resulted in the suspense of the implementation of death penalty whereas he/she remained disqualified either to participate or vote under any circumstances.
According to the existing laws, a person convicted of murder couldn’t be elected as a member of local government body, participate in proceedings or vote, Jayaratne said.
Legal sources told The Island that Kahawatte PS Chairman Silva had been convicted together with Premalal Jayasekera over the killing of Dodangodage Susil Perera alias Shantha Dodangoda in the run-up to January 8, 2015 presidential election.
In spite of AG’s recommendation, Jayasekera successfully moved the Court of Appeal and was able to take oaths as an MP.
The Ratnapura HC sentenced former Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council member Nilantha Jayakody in addition to Jayasekera and Silva. The then Deputy Minister Jayasekera and a group of persons attacked supporters of common candidate Maithripala Sirisena, while they were engaged in decorating a stage. Sources said that the Attorney General’s opinion as regards Jayasekera and Silva attending Parliament and Pradeshiya Sabha, respectively, similar except in the case of the latter the disqualification is under the local government statute.
Sirisena re-entered parliament from Polonnaruwa on the SLPP ticket at the Aug 2020 general election.
Justice Ministry Secretary Mayadunne told The Island that three committees had been appointed to examine the ways and means of updating existing laws, rules and regulations as part of overall measures to improve the judicial system. Acknowledging the shortcomings pointed out by Commissioner General of Prisons, Mayadunne said that committees headed by Shavindra Fernando, PC (criminal), attorney-at-law K. A. Lasitha Kanuwanaarachchi. (civil) and Kaushalya Nawaratne (commercial) would make recommendations.
Mayadunne explained efforts made by the Justice Ministry to improve and streamline the system.
Commissioner General, Prisons, Upuldeniya, too, acknowledged the urgent need to amend laws, rules and regulations to face the current situation. Upuldeniya said that Kahawatte PC Chairman hadn’t been taken for Thursday, Oct 8 sessions.
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
