News
BASL asks its members to return Japanese funds
Rs. 21 mn JICA payment controversy:
by Shamindra Ferdinando
Reeling from a revelation that the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) received Rs 21 million as payment for an anti-corruption study undertaken in terms of an agreement with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), without following proper procedures, the Bar Council has appointed a five-member committee consisting of five President’s Counsel to conduct an investigation.
The committee comprising Dr. Kanag Isvaran, Dr. Faisz Musthapha, Rienzie Arsekuleratne, Ikram Mohomed and Geoff Alagaratnam has been asked to submit its report to the Bar Council within two months.
Rs. Rs 19 mn out of Rs 21 mn received by the BASL was shared by five members who undertook the study.The Bar Council has directed all of them to return the money to the BASL. Two of them had returned their share before the Bar Council took up the matter.
The Bar Council intervened after several senior members of the Executive Committee of BASL demanded an explanation as regards the JICA project.JICA engaged the team comprising members of the BASL late last year to conduct a study on bribery and corruption.
The BASL members have asked why the five members had not obtained approval from the Bar Council and its Executive Committee before undertaking the study. The team facing the current probe includes two President’s Counsel.
Several years ago, The Island revealed how the BASL had secured a sponsorship for the Law Asia Conference from Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL), which was under investigation for Treasury bond scams. Those who had shared Rs 19 mn had been asked not to seek media interventions until the completion of the inquiry.
PC Upali Gooneratne, in his capacity as pro tem Chairman chaired Saturday’s Bar Council meeting in view of the current BASL President Kaushalya Nawaratne, PC, too, being subjected to the ongoing unprecedented investigation focused on the overall process, absence of required approvals, etc. The other members of the five–member team are Nalinda Indatissa, PC, Shavindra Fernando, PC, Nuwan de Alwis and Rashmi Indatissa.
The funding of the Bar Association study coincided with the Japanese funding for the UNDP anti-corruption project launched in February this year. When The Island sought a clarification regarding the latest anti- corruption initiative from the UNDP Office in Colombo, a spokesperson said that the ministries of justice and finance were involved in the project.
Japanese Ambassador in Colombo Mizukoshi Hideaki and UNDP Resident Representative in Colombo Azusa Kubota launched ‘The Project for Promoting Economic Governance through Anti-Corruption Policy Support’ on February 13, 2024. The UNDP spokesperson said that the project worth 137 million JPY (approximately USD 931,000) would be implemented from March this year to March next year.
Soon after the finalization of the agreement between Japan and the UNDP in February 2024, JICA in collaboration with BASL conducted a series of introductory workshops between 19 and 28 February for the officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) as well as key actors of the justice system.
These workshops dealt with whistleblower protection, deferred prosecution agreements and anti -money laundering measures. In terms of the new Anti-Corruption Act No 9 of 2023 that came into operation in September last year, CIABOC spearheaded the operations. JICA brought in experts from Japan, US (Department of Justice and US Federal Bureau of Investigation), National Crime Agency of the United Kingdom and the Asia Pacific Group for Anti-Money Laundering.
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
