News
BASL Prez sets record straight
Govt-EC battle over LG polls:
By Shamindra Ferdinando
President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) Saliya Pieris, PC, says the Election Commission (EC) has retained him as its Counsel as Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam, PC, does not appear for the EC in a fundamental rights case filed against the conduct of the scheduled local government polls.
The outgoing BASL Chief said so when The Island sought his response to accusations directed by SLPP Gampaha District MPs Sahan Pradeep Withana and Milan Jayatilleke regarding a secret meeting he had with the five-member EC and its Director General.
The EC consists of Nimal G. Punchihewa (Chairman), M. M. Mohamed, S.B. Divaratne, K.P.P. Pathirana and Mrs. P.S. M. Charles. Saman Sri Ratnayake functions as its Director General.
Pieris said that there was absolutely no basis for such allegations. “In fact, I have been retained by the EC in 2020,” the BASL President said. Pieris will continue in the current capacity till the BASL Convocation scheduled for March 25, 2023.
Kaushalya Navaratne was recently elected uncontested as BASL President after Sarath Jayamanne, PC, one-time Director General, Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) withdrew his nomination. Incumbent Secretary, BASL, Attorney-at-Law Isuru Balapatabendi, too, was elected uncontested for 2023/2024 period.
Pieris said that DG, EC, didn’t even attend the meeting.
Pieris emphasised that the BASL is firmly of the view that the EC should be allowed to exercise its powers mandated under the Constitution and the law without interference.
In a statement dated January 11, 2023, the BASL asked the President and the Government to refrain from taking any steps which could be construed as an interference with the independent
functions of that Commission and with the exercise of the franchise by the people.
It warned of dire consequences in case the government interfered with the scheduled election.
In terms of the relevant laws, the LG poll could be postponed for a maximum period of one year.
EC sources said that as the last LG poll had been held on February 10, 2018 and Local Authorities constituted subsequently, the next poll was to be concluded by March 19, 2022.
Former Local Government Minister Roshan Ranasinghe had put off the election by one year and it was to be conducted and Local Government Authorities established by March 20, 2023, sources said.
Responding to The Island queries, sources said that the law allowed the EC to set the date for election after Sept. 20, 2022 as stipulated. Asked to explain, sources said that the EC received the authority to take necessary measures after completion of six months of the postponed period.
Minister Ranasinghe put off LG poll claiming the threat posed by Covid-19.
Acknowledging criticism directed at the EC regarding inordinate delay in issuing notice for LG polls, sources pointed out that if the election was called immediately after Sept 20, 2022, perhaps 250,000 to 300,000 could have lost an opportunity to exercise their franchise as the EC had to go by the 2021 Electoral Register.
The process was delayed to update the Electoral Register in terms of the relevant Act, sources said, adding that those who reached 18 could be accommodated thrice every year.
Having finalised the Electoral Register, the EC was to go ahead with other preparations when Premier Dinesh Gunawardena twice called EC members and DG, for talks last December at his office where the MEP leader explained the difficulties experienced by the government and the public in case LG poll was conducted.
Among the issues that had been raised by the Premier were the Advanced Level examination, retirement of public servants, economic crisis, shortage of printing paper, fog experienced in some parts of the country etc.
Subsequently, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has called for two meetings with EC members and DG, to repeat concerns raised by Premier Gunawardena previously. On both occasions, Premier Gunawardena has been present while AG Rajaratnam attended the second meeting chaired by President Wickremesinghe on January 05 at the Presidential Secretariat.
Sources said that scheduled polls couldn’t be postponed on the basis of division within the EC as whatever the differences they had to abide by the relevant Acts and laws.
These sources said that the AG’s refusal to appear for the EC should be examined against the backdrop of him questioning the EC over the process, particularly the decision to issue ‘call notice’ on January 04, 2023.
The government, in a bid to pressure the EC, pushed for the Treasury, the IGP and the Government Printer to declare their inability to facilitate the electoral process. However, the meetings called by the EC failed to cause the anticipated uproar as there was consensus regarding the need to conduct LG polls as scheduled.
Sources said that the process was on track and EC didn’t expect the government to cause further hindrance.
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
