News
Chandima raises privilege issue over Weerasekera’s letter to State Defence Minister
…slams colleague over criticism of US envoy’s conduct
By Shamindra Ferdinando
SLPP MP Chandima Weerakkody has lashed out at fellow ruling party MP and Chairman of Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security Sarath Weerasekera for the latter’s recent comment on US Ambassador Julie Chung’s conduct in respect of last year’s popular uprising which led to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s ouster.
Attorney-at-law Weerakkody, who is also a member of the national security Sectoral Oversight Committee, has asked Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to take punitive action against Weerasekera, who served as Public Security Minister during Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s presidency.
Addressing parliament on 22 Nov., MP Weerakkody said unfounded accusations against the US ambassador could cause unnecessary problems. He was referring to a statement issued by MP Weerasekera, in his capacity as Chairman of the Sectoral Oversight Committee subsequent to a meeting chaired by him on the afternoon of 05. Oct. 2023.
Declaring that the foreign policy is the prerogative of the President, the former yahapalana minister has asked whether Weerasekera could comment on sensitive matters without consulting Sectoral Oversight Committees on foreign and justice ministries.
Pointing out that the public had lost faith in parliament, MP Jayakody has urged Speaker Abeywardena to take action without further delay or be prepared to face the consequences. The SLFPer also explained how the continuing crisis in the parliamentary watchdog Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) embroiled in the SLC (Sri Lanka Cricket) controversy caused unprecedented deterioration of public confidence in parliament.
MP Weerakkody has stressed the responsibility on the part of parliament to ensure that the Sectoral Oversight Committee adheres to Standing Orders 111. According to him, MP Weerasekera, has violated parliamentary privileges of other members of the Sectoral Oversight Committee by writing to State Defence Minister Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon without taking their approval. The MP has raised the issue at hand twice in parliament on Nov 10 and Nov 22.MP Weerakkody on Saturday (25) told The Island that he expected Speaker Abeywardena to deal with MP Weerasekera firmly.
“MP Weerasekera cannot under any circumstances conduct the affairs of the Sectoral Oversight Committee in violation of the Standing Orders. The former minister must realise that he is not above Parliament,” MP Weerakkody said, adding that the matter raised by him had been referred to the privileges committee.
Responding to another query, MP Weerakkody said that he had brought to the notice of parliament lawmaker Weerasekera’s comments on the ongoing Rambukkana incidents during the protest campaign where one person died in police shooting. Referring to a statement issued by senior Attorney–at–Law Prasantha Lal De Alwis PC, in response to MP Weerasekera’s letter to State Defence Minister, Weerakkody has told parliament that the Chairman’s action reflected badly the Sectoral Oversight Committee.
Lawyer Alwis has represented a committee that looked into the Rambukkana incidents on 19 April 2022. The expert committee consisted of former retired High Court Judge K. H. Sumathipala, former retired High Court Judge. Sudath N. Gopallawa, former retired Government Analyst Dr. W. D. S. Gunathilake, senior Attorney–at–Law Prasantha Lal De Alwis PC, senior Attorney–at–Law Amal Randeniya, Consultant Judicial Medical Officer Dr. Channa Perera, Engineer S. Suriyaarachchi (University of Moratuwa), and Technical Officer A.M.S Nilan (University of Moratuwa).
Asked whether he was confident of parliament adopting remedial measures, MP Weerakkody said that the House couldn’t ignore how such actions deteriorated parliamentary standards. How could one person used Sectoral Oversight Committee he chaired to pursue a personal agenda at the expense of the government and parliament. Therefore, it would be the Speaker’s responsibility to reign in the former Minister.
Earlier, Weerasekera’s report on proposed privatisation of Sri Lanka Telecom caused controversy when the President’s Media Division (PMD) hit back at the Chairman.
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
