News
CIABOC urged to investigate Justice Minister’s allegation
USD 250 Mn X-Press Pearl ‘bribe’:
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Environmentalist Dr. Ajantha Perera has lodged a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) regarding an alleged USD 250 Mn payoff meant to undermine Sri Lanka’s efforts to obtain maximum possible compensation for the unprecedented damages caused by the X-Press Pearl ship disaster, in May/June 2021, off Colombo port.
Dr. Perera told The Island that her complaint was based on Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakse’s disclosure that he had asked IGP C.D. Wickremaratne to launch a probe based on information that someone who could influence the litigation process had received USD 250 Mn and the money had been sent to an account in a UK bank.
“The recipient of that staggering amount of money must be a relative of the one who could influence the ongoing investigations,” Dr. Perera said.
Appearing on social media platform ‘Truth with Chamuditha,’ in the wake of ‘USD 250 Mn bribery allegation jolts Justice Minister,’ in the April 13 edition of The Island, Dr. Perera discussed how the powers that be undermined Sri Lanka’s case for sufficient compensation for irrevocable damages, particularly to the environment and marine life. The civil society activist called for wider investigation into the X-Press Pearl disaster and the accidental fire onboard MT New Diamond, in early September, 2020, off the Eastern coast.
Responding to another query, Dr. Perera said that a case filed by her in the Supreme Court, in respect of the X-Press Pearl disaster, was pending as the country struggled to meet the May 20 deadline to move court in Colombo, in this regard. Acknowledging that the Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam, PC, has obtained the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers to file action in Singapore, Dr. Perera, however, emphasized that Colombo courts should be moved instead.
Dr. Perera said that she was among those who had received invitations from the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Sustainable Development to participate in the proceedings on o4th April, in Parliament.
Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Ajith Mannaperuma chairs the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Sustainable Development.
Dr. Perera questioned the conduct of the MEPA (Marine Environment Protection Authority) with regards to the handling of the MT New Diamond and X-Press Pearl disasters during Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s presidency. Unfortunately, in spite of Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s ouster in last July, the situation remains the same, Dr. Perera alleged, adding that there couldn’t be a better example than the handling of the X-Press Pearl disaster.
Dr. Perera said the government owed an explanation with regard to the conduct of the local agent of X-Press Pearl as well as the Harbour Master. It has been revealed in court that the vessel’s local agent, Sea Consortium Lanka of Setmil Group, suppressed information about the acid leak aboard the ill-fated vessel. Investigations have revealed that the Presidential Award winner Sea Consortium Lanka deleted specific information received from the vessel pertaining to the leaking container carrying acid and withheld that information.
Dr. Perera said that she also intended to complain to the Human Rights Commission. Pointing out that Sri Lanka estimated compensation at USD 6.4 bn, Dr. Perera said that the actual damages were much higher and could be in the region of USD 50 bn. “We are aware of a legal action filed in a UK court. That action was meant to deprive Sri Lanka of sufficient compensation. Let us hope the Justice Ministry and Sri Lankan High Commission in London inquire into this matter,” Dr. Perera said.
Paying off USD 250 Mn to sabotage Sri Lanka case was much cheaper than paying billions of USD in compensation, Dr. Perera said. It would be the responsibility of the government to identify who allowed the vessel, carrying deadly leaking cargo, into Sri Lankan waters, after two ports turned it away.
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
