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BASL files FR petitions in SC over economic crisis
The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has filed two fundamental rights applications in the Supreme Court yesterday on the present economic crisis in the public interest.
The applications were filed by the President of the BASL, Saliya Pieris PC; Deputy President, Anura Meddegoda PC; Secretary, Rajeev Amarasuriya; Treasurer, Rajindh Perera; and Assistant Secretary, Pasindu Silva.
The BASL has said in a media stateement: “The Petitioners have claimed that their fundamental rights under Articles 11, 12(1), 13(4), 14(1)(g), 14(1)(h) and 14A of the Constitution are being violated or are in imminent danger of infringement by the actions and/or inaction of the State including the Respondents. The Petitions have made the Attorney General, the Cabinet of Ministers, the Governor of the Central Bank, the Secretary to the Treasury, Secretaries to several Ministries, the Ceylon Electricity Board, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and the State Pharmaceutical Corporation as Respondents.
“The Petitioners have made the application as People of Sri Lanka in whom sovereignty is reposed and as People of Sri Lanka in whom is also imposed several Fundamental Duties, under Article 28 of the Constitution for and on behalf of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, which is the apex professional body in Sri Lanka for Attorneys-at-Law and is committed to upholding the Rule of Law, Fundamental Rights, the Independence of the Judiciary and justice in Sri Lanka, in the public interest.
“The Petitions state that the Country is at present witnessing long queues for the purchase of essential supplies, mass protests and public unrest due to acute short ages and the sharp increase in the cost of goods and services including food, fuel and travel costs.
“The Petitioners complain that Sri Lanka is currently facing an unprecedented economic and financial crisis resulting in acute shortages of fuel, electricity, gas, food, milk powder and medicines. The Petitioners complain that they are compelled to come into court due to the severe shortages in essential goods and services that are considered vital for the survival and existence of the citizens of the Republic in whom is guaranteed the fundamental right to equality, equal protection of the law and the right to life under the Constitution.
“The Petitioners state that in view of the growing unrest and public protests witnessed across the island, they verily fear that there is a substantial, real and grave threat of a breakdown in the law-and-order situation of the Country and a substantial threat to the Rule of Law, which should be addressed through timely and proportionate measures within the legal framework of the country.
“The Petitioners are seeking orders from the Supreme Court:
“1. Directing the Cabinet of Ministers, and/or any other Respondents to immediately consult with all the relevant stakeholders and independent experts to formulate and implement policies to provide uninterrupted access to and to provide concessions in relation to the prices of essential goods and services to the people including LP gas, fuel, electricity, milk powder, medicines and food and to report to the Supreme Court of the policies formulated on the above;
“2. For directions on the Respondents to immediately formulate and implement short term policies and measures to ensure that the people have adequate access to such essentials as well;
“3. To seek directions on the 1” — 28’ Respondents which comprise the Cabinet of Ministers and/or any other Respondents to immediately consult with all the relevant stakeholders and independent experts including the International Monetary Fund to formulate and implement policies to provide uninterrupted access to essentials and report such findings/recommendations and their implementation to the Supreme Court;
“4. Seek directions to formulate mid-term and long-term policies to ensure that the People have uninterrupted access to essentials such as inter alia, food, medicine, fuel, gas and electricity and to formulate medium and long-term policies to provide concessions in relation to the prices of such essential goods and services;
“5. Directions on the Cabinet of Ministers to formulate an urgent national policy to provide immediate relief to the people and businesses affected by the present financial and economic crisis and to formulate and implement urgent policies to prioritize projects and programmes, to alleviate the foreign exchange crisis, guarantee uninterrupted supply of goods and services, control inflation and reduce the cost of living;
“6. Directions on the Cabinet of Ministers to formulate and implement urgent policies to promote the production of local agriculture, dairy farming, and animal husbandry to ensure food security;
“7. Directions on the Respondents in consultation with stakeholders, to formulate new systems, processes, rules and regulatory frameworks which assure transparency and good governance practices in respect of future public debt management.
The Petitioners will be represented by Dr. K. Kanag Isvaran PC, Uditha Egalahewa PC, Suren Gnanaraj and Pulasthi Hewamanne instructed by G.G. Arulpragasam.”
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
