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Agro sector mess: SJB says sacked Ministry Secy one of the culprits
‘Prof. Jayasinghe grabbed one of our slogans’
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Samagi Jana Balavegaya lawmaker Rohini Kaviratne has questioned the rationale behind sacked Agriculture Secretary Senior Prof. Udith K. Jayasinghe’s warning of a serious food shortage in April after having caused the crisis.
Addressing the media at Rattota, the Matale District MP pointed out that Prof. Jayasinghe was one of the culprits though he now pretended as if he didn’t have a hand in the disastrous agriculture policy adopted by the current dispensation.
The outspoken MP emphasised that Prof. Jayasinghe was equally responsible for the ruination of the agriculture sector as his political masters. The former UNPer pointed out the absurdity in the Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage having to contradict Prof. Jayasinghe over the latter’s high profile claim of an impending food shortage in early part of New Year.
The Matale District MP alleged that Prof. Jayasinghe in an obvious bid to deceive the public exploited both print and electronic media, including the social media to the hilt. The lawmaker compared the ousted official’s approach with that of a pickpocket fleeing a crowd in Pettah while himself shouting ‘thief’
Both the political leadership and the former Agriculture Secretary should be investigated for corruption charges in relation to fertiliser imports from China and India, MP Kaviratne said. The MP alleged that Prof. Jayasinghe had been involved in the entire process as regards liquid fertiliser imports from India. The MP said that ousted official had been in the relevant tender board, advised the technical committee, intervened to lower the price of liquid fertiliser when the Opposition revealed price manipulation and payment made subsequent to the opening of an account on a directive issued by Dr. P. B. Jayasundera as disclosed in Parliament.
Lawmaker Kaviratne said that the Opposition warned of a food shortage over the past several months and now suddenly one of those people responsible for the current sorry plight repeated what we have been saying.
Responding to SJB allegations, Prof. Jayasinghe said that there was no basis for such accusations though he didn’t want to comment on them. Prof. Jayasinghe also maintained that he didn’t know what prompted his sudden removal.
MP Kaviratne said that during Prof. Jayasinghe’s six month tenure as the Agriculture Secretary he was at the forefront of the government offensive meant to force carbonic farming on an unprepared community.
Responding to media queries, she compared the government operation that destroyed the agriculture sector with the signing of the Yugadanavi deal. Having signed a far reaching agreement with US energy company, SLPP constituents were engaged in a dispute, she said. A section of the government had accused the administration of betraying the country though they remained within the administration, MP Kaviratne said. Similarly, Minister Aluthgamage and Prof. Jayasinghe had been fighting over policy after being members of the same destructive team, the MP said.
She insisted that Prof. Jayasinghe grabbed one of the Opposition slogans to cover up his sins after the government dumped him. The former UNPer said that the government should have found fault with the Vice Chancellor of the Wayamba University for his recent statements pertaining to an impending food shortage, but that didn’t clear him of serious corruption charges.
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
