News
Army personnel held in weapons transportation probe
AG orders probe on Police Spokesman
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The police have taken two army personnel into custody in connection with the ongoing investigation into the alleged transportation of a stock of weapons to Pitipana, Homagama during the height of the covid-19 epidemic.
Police spokesman and attorney-at-law SSP Jaliya Senaratne said so in response to a query raised during hastily arranged media conference at the police headquarters yesterday.
SSP Senaratne said that the CID had detained two army personnel and more arrests were likely depending on the investigation.
Asked whether the weapons belonged to the LTTE and the number of weapons, SSP Senaratne said that they were inquiring into the origin of the weapons and why they were moved to Colombo. Out of the smuggled lethal haul 13 T 56 assault rifles and one T 81 weapon had been recovered so far, the police official said, explaining the progress made by investigators.
Among those who had been so far arrested in connection with the high profile investigation included Sub Inspector of Police attached to the Special Task Force (STF) and print media journalist Prasad Abeywickrema. SSP Senaratne alleged that the journalist had abused his media accreditation to facilitate the transportation of weapons to Colombo.
The police spokesman said that the ongoing investigation hadn’t revealed the involvement of any other journalist in the alleged transportation of weapons.
SSP Senaratne said that the police commando had been arrested on a charge of aiding and abetting drug dealers. According to him, the Officer-in-Charge of Intelligence and Special Operations of the STF detachment in Mannar had been arrested on Tuesday night (18).
The police spokesman explained that investigations-the transportation of weapons to Colombo and the arrest of police commando were separate cases though being carried out as part of the overall crackdown on the underworld.
The police spokesman released a long list of recoveries and detections made in the recent past.
The Island sought the police spokesman’s views on Justice Minister Ali Sabry PC’s accusation pertaining to direct nexus between the lawbreakers and four state institutions-the police, the prisons, the Government Analyst’s Department and the Registrars of courts. Asked whether the police could explain law enforcement and other government personnel dealing in heroin, SSP Senaratne claimed that the case involving PNB personnel as well as the arrest of Government Analyst’s Department personnel were isolated cases.
Senaratne said that it wouldn’t be fair to target entire institutions over isolated cases.
The media raised the Attorney General Dappula de Livera raising the conduct of the OIC, Negombo and the Police Spokesman in respect of statements/claims regarding the arrest of Superintendent of Negombo Police Anuruddha Sampayo on July 2 in Kurunegala.
SSP Senaratne said that the AG had instructed Acting IGP C.D. Wickramaratne to inquire into his conduct as well as that of the Negombo OIC. The AG had disputed the Negombo OIC’s version of Sampayo’s arrest. SSP Senaratne said that he couldn’t discuss the matter as an investigation was underway. The police spokesman said that he addressed the media on the basis of information provided to him.
Coordinator to the AG, State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne told The Island that instructions were issued yesterday.
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
