News
Alleged attempt on SJB leader’s life: Sajith confirms Johnston’s accusation
Handunetti says accusers must have their heads examined
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday (24) confirmed that an abortive attempt was made on his life at Galle Face on the afternoon of May 09, 2022 in the wake of the attack by SLPP goons on those who had barricaded themselves outside the Presidential Secretariat.
Colombo District MP Premadasa said so in response to The Island query. We sought the Opposition Leader’s reaction to Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Kurunegala District MP Johnston Fernando’s declaration that the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) made an attempt to assassinate the SJB leader.
Former Minister Fernando said that the Opposition Leader could have been killed on the road if not for the quick thinking of his driver who reversed the vehicle after Premadasa got into it to escape those chasing him.
MP Premadasa said: “That is correct.”
Top JVP spokesman and former MP Sunil Handunetti said that those who made that claim should have their heads examined. No sane person would have held the JVP responsible for that incident at Galle Face, the ex-MP said.
JVP Propaganda Secretary Vijitha Herath didn’t answer his hand phone.
Lawmaker Fernando lambasted the JVP at the opening of his main Kurunegala district political office at Wilegoda at the outskirts of Kurunegala town on Poya day (April 23).
Alleging JVP activists destroyed his political office during the May 09/10, 2022 violence, MP Fernando said the JVP was nothing but a murderous outfit that also made an attempt on the SJB leader’s life.
SLPP Chairman Mahinda Rajapaksa presided over the meeting. MP Namal Rajapaksa was among those present on the occasion.
MP Fernando paid a glowing tribute to the SLPP founder Basil Rajapakse whom he declared the most capable organizer still active behind the scenes though various interested parties sought to ridicule him.
SLPP’s National Organizer MP Namal Rajapaksa, too, addressed the gathering.
MP Fernando later told The Island that the SJB leader obviously went to Galle Face on that day to declare his support for the high profile; ‘Gotagohome’ campaign. The SJB, both in and outside Parliament, backed the campaign against the then government but the JVP was not ready to recognize the right of any political party to join the protest movement.
Lawmaker Fernando claimed that had the JVPers captured Premadasa, the fate of Polonnaruwa District MP Amarakeerthi Atukorale would have befallen him. MP Atukorale was lynched along with his police bodyguard at Nittambuwa also on the same day.
Those responsible for national security should be ashamed of their failure to properly investigate the incidents/developments relating to the violent protest campaign, MP Fernando said.
In spite of clear evidence that the JVP spearheaded the abortive bid to seize control of Parliament, in the second week of July 2022, the police were yet to record a single statement regarding that development, MP Fernando said, alleging that nearly two years after the ouster of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa the government was yet to investigate the unprecedented and systematic destruction caused by politically-inspired protesters.
The ex-Minister emphasized that he was not the SLPPer to complain about the status of the investigation. MP Fernando also pointed out that the government has conveniently ignored Speaker Mahinda Yapa’s declaration of external hand in the protest campaign and interested parties threatened to harm his life after his refusal to cooperate.
Acknowledging that Amarakeerthi Atukorale’s trial was on, MP Fernando said that a comprehensive investigation was needed to ascertain the incidents/developments during the 2021/2022 period.
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
