News
ANN and other global media outfits condemn arrest of Nepali publisher
Global media organisations, including the Asia News Network, have taken serious exception to the arrest of Kantipur Media Group Chairman Kailash Sirihiya in Nepal and termed the government action as vengeful.
The Asia News Network (ANN), an alliance of 22 leading media in 20 countries, in a letter addressed to Prime Minister of FDR of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, has called on the latter to exercise his authority to impair the misdeeds.
The letter, signed by ANN Chairman Mahfuz Anam, says that the ANN “is extremely concerned with the apparent media intimidation to the Kantipur Media Group’s newsroom on May 21, 2024 and prolonged detention of KMG Chairman Mr. Kailash Sirihiya.
The incident, which followed the media investigation into the conduct of a politician, will only impair Nepal’s reputation and its treatment of the press.
Kathmandu Post, the English-language media arm of KMG, is a long-time member of ANN. It has been an exemplary Asian media member – carrying the good reputation of your country and reporting rigorously on its challenges.
The conduct of the police with their intrusion into the KMG’s newsroom and heavy police presence on the premises are unacceptable in a media free environment; and so too is the case of Mr Sirihiya which would normally go through routine legal process. The rule of law must be fair and just; and not be seen and treated otherwise.
We would ask your excellency to immediately exercise your authority to impair the misdeeds and restore Nepal’s reputation and credibility which are essential for a country to move forward.”
The members of ANN comprise China Daily, Daily Star (Bangladesh), Dawn (Pakistan), Eleven Media (Myanmar), Gogo Mongolia, Jakarta Post (Indonesia), Kuensel (Bhutan), Kathmandu Post (Nepal), Philippine Daily Inquirer, Rasmei Kampuchea, The Phnom Penh Post (Cambodia), The Borneo Bulletin (Brunei), Yomiuri Shimbun/The Japan News, The Korea Herald, The Nation (Thailand), The Star, Sin Chew Daily (Malaysia), The Statesman (India), The Straits Times (Singapore), Vientiane Times (Laos), Vietnam News.
Meanwhile, the Committee to Protect Journalists on Thursday expressed alarm over the arrest of Sirihiya and called on Nepali authorities not to harass or intimidate the leadership or staff of the country’s largest media group in retaliation for its reporting.
“The arrest of Kantipur Media Group chairperson Kailash Sirihiya from his place of work appears to be an effort to muzzle the critical reporting of Nepal’s largest media group,” said CPJ Programme Director Carlos Martinez de la Serna, in New York. “We call on Nepali authorities to ensure that Kantipur Media Group can work freely and without fear of reprisal.”
Likewise, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the world’s largest organisation of journalists, said on Thursday that Sirihiya’s arrest “is deeply concerning, especially considering the ongoing investigative work focused on allegations of misconduct by the Home Minister”.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF), an international organisation focused on safeguarding the right to freedom of information, demanded the release of Sirihiya.
The United States-based Society of Professional Journalists has also questioned the motive behind Sirihiya’s arrest.
“We join the Federation of Nepali Journalists in questioning the actual motives behind the arrest,” SPJ said in a statement. “The FNJ said the arrest casts aspersions on the entire news-gathering sector. They added that the arrest of Sirihiya appears vindictive in nature.”
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
