News
Aragalaya reacts to BIA arrest, vows to oust new prez too
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Sarvapakshika Aragalakaruwo(all-party agitators), in a statement issued yesterday (27) strongly condemned the arrest of one of their key members, ‘Dhanis Ali’ by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) while he was about to leave the country, in a complete new look, sans his overgrown beard and hair.
The grouping alleged that the arrest of Ali at the BIA and four other persons near the S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike statue on Tuesday (26) was part of a major government operation meant to suppress the protest movement.The grouping claimed that newly elected President Ranil Wickremesinghe was going flat out against those who made the operation against Sri Lanka’s “worst” ever President Gotabaya Rajapaksa successful. Gotabaya Rajapaksa was forced to flee the country by violent mobs pursuing him in the early hours of July 13.They asserted that the government engage in high profile operations such as the arrest made in a passenger flight as it was about to take as part its strategy to overwhelm the public.
Police headquarters said that 31-year-old Ali, a resident of Wabada, Kurunegala was under investigation over his involvement with the protest movement. Accordingly, the Fort Magistrate has issued a warrant for Ali’s arrest over the obstructing of the Finance Ministry entrance on June 20 when a group of IMF representatives was to come there, Fort Magistrate granted him bail when the police produced him in court over causing damage to public property during protest outside police headquarters on June 09, the suspect has been also wanted in connection with assault on Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) personnel at Galle Face on June 12, threatening personnel from Fort police on July 20 when a squad arrived at the S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike statue to inquire into reports of plans to damage it and seizing control of State Rupavahini on July 13 afternoon during violent protests.
The protest movement alleged that President Wickremesinghe appeared to have launched operations on several fronts to undermine the protest movement. The group identified six specific areas the government was on the offensive namely (1) create a rift between the protest movement and the military and police (2) portray the protest movement as an outfit opposed to the military and police (3) take tangible measures against the protest movement to appease SLPP lawmakers who voted for Ranil Wickremesinghe at the presidential contest (4) create public anger towards the protest movement (5) cause fear among those opposed to the government before the next round of major protest campaign and (6) stress that those who opposed the government would have to face grave consequences.
Sarvapakshika Aragalakaruwo warned President Wickremesinghe would face fate that befell Gotabaya Rajapaksa regime. They vowed to continue ongoing protest campaign regardless of the growing challenges and threats.Authoritative police and military officials said that the identities of most of those who had inspired violence since March 31 protest at ex-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s private residence were now known.
The State Intelligence has briefed the government parliamentary group on Tuesday of the threat posed by ‘Aragalaya’ and its strategies meant to undermine the incumbent government. The briefing has been given when the group met at the Finance Ministry under the auspices of President Wickremesinghe and Premier Dinesh Gunawardena.Government sources said that lawmakers wanted President Wickremesinghe, the military and the police to take a tough stand and take whatever measures necessary to neutralize the threat. Sources said that the government shouldn’t retreat in the face of fresh threats made by ‘Aragalaya’ and other interested parties.
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
