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Bribery claims involving Japanese contractor: Lawyer asks govt. to come clean over allegations levelled against Nimal Siripala
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Attorney-at-Law Senaka Perera has alleged that the re-appointment of Nimal Siripala de Silva as the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation proved that the same system is in place, in spite of Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s ouster.
How can the SLFPer clear himself of serious bribery allegations so fast, the civil society activist asked, referring to bribery accusations made, both in and outside Parliament, relating to the Japanese Taisei Corporation.
Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa led the campaign against the senior SLFPer after he revolted from the SLFP to accept a portfolio in the planned all-party national government, formed by the previous President.
Then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa asked Minister de Silva to step down, temporarily, pending an investigation into bribery allegations relating to the settlement of contractual issues of $ 570 million with Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) funded Terminal-2 construction work at the BIA Development Project (BIADP) Stage two.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Office announced de Silva’s stepping down on July 06, just days before, in the guise of peaceful protests, overran the Presidential Secretariat, the President’s House, Temple Trees, PM’s office and torched PM’s private residence, forcing him to leave the country.
Referring to a statement issued by the Presidential Media Division (PMD) on Tuesday (02) late afternoon that dealt with the issue at hand, lawyer Perera said the government owed an explanation how a committee appointed by President Wickremesinghe on July 22 cleared de Silva within 10 days.
The lawyer urged the government to release the report submitted by the three-member committee as the PMD declared that its report cleared the lawmaker of all accusations.
Retired High Court Judge, Kusala Sarojini Weerawardena, PC, chaired the committee. Retired Senior Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) of Police S.M. Wickremasinghe and Retired Special Grade Officer of Sri Lanka Administrative Service (SLAS) S.M.G.K. Perera served as members of the committee.
Lawyer Perera recalled how Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s government obtained a report from another committee, also headed by retired High Court Judge, Kusala Sarojini Weerawardena, PC, following media furore over the then State Minister of Prison Management and Prisoners’ Rehabilitation Lohan Ratwatte’s forcible entry into Welikada and Anuradhapura prisons in Sept 2021.
Alleging that report, too, hadn’t been made public, lawyer Perera said that action taken by the former President and the incumbent President, in respect of lawmaker de Silva, weren’t sufficient. Lawyer Perera said that though the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) hadn’t been able to earn the respect of the public, they felt the need to lodge a complaint with the outfit in this regard. “We like to see CIABOC’s reaction to our complaint,” the civil society activist said.
Facilitated by Lawyer Perera activist S.M. Nishar Moulana lodged a complaint last Saturday (July 30).
Responding to another query, lawyer Perera said that those interested in good governance and financial integrity should reveal their stand on this. How could such serious bribery allegations, directed at a Minister, be dealt by a committee, Lawyer Perera asked.
Reiterating his commitment to ongoing public protest against President Wickremesinghe’s government, lawyer Perera said that the new leader should prove his sincerity. Referring to the President’s maiden policy statement, lawyer Perera said that the Prsident’s promise to implement a national policy to combat bribery and corruption should be examined against the backdrop of lawmaker de Silva’s case.
President Wickremesinghe told Parliament that new rules and regulations and orders in this regard were being prepared by the Ministry of Justice. A consensus would be reached with the International Monetary Fund regarding combating corruption, the President assured Parliament.
Secretary to the CIABOC Apsara Caldera told The Island that complaints received would be examined by a committee consisting of three commissioner – Director, Investigations, legal officer and herself. The committee would decide on the complaint received in respect of lawmaker de Silva.
Asked whether the report prepared by retired High Court Judge, Kusala Sarojini Weerawardena would be perused by the CIABOC, Caldera said that, too, was to be decided. The relevant complaint has been already forwarded to the Committee.
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
