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Civil society calls for action to eliminate corruption
The people would hardly benefit from the aid and assistance Sri Lanka received as long as corruption persisted, Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) Executive Director, Nadishani Perera said.
Perera said so speaking at a discussion at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute in Colombo last week, focusing on the recommendations detailed in ‘The Civil Society Governance Diagnostic Report on Sri Lanka.’ The event was attended by a diverse group of civil society representatives who gathered to address the pressing need for governance reforms in the country.
“No matter how much aid we receive, it will be squandered or misappropriated if we do not tackle corruption head-on. It’s akin to pouring water into a leaky vessel. While there’s much talk about revitalizing the economy, there’s an alarming lack of focus on governance reforms and corruption prevention. The masses, who took to the streets in large numbers last year, demanded a “system change” because they recognized that the country’s crisis was not solely economic but rooted in weak governance and deep-seated corruption.
“Recognizing the public’s heightened interest in anti-corruption, civil society organizations collectively worked on a Governance Diagnostic Report, highlighting a series of governance reforms essential for the nation. By advocating for these recommendations, we can bring about a real system change and ensure sustainable economic development,” Perera noted.
The Civil Society Governance Diagnostic Report, unveiled on September 13, put forth 34 pivotal governance benchmark recommendations. This comprehensive report was presented by ‘The Civil Society Initiative on Anti-Corruption Reform for Economic Recovery,’ led by Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL), in collaboration with a core group including Verité Research, the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), and the National Peace Council (NPC).
Last week’s meeting was to raise awareness among civil society members regarding the Report’s recommendations. As part of the discussion, the civil society recommendations were compared with those made in the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) recently issued report titled ‘Sri Lanka: Technical Assistance Report-Governance Diagnostic Assessment’.
Dr. Nishan de Mel, Executive Director of Verité Research, emphasized the importance of good governance, drawing on historical data from 1975. He highlighted that countries with multiple episodes of debt restructuring often scored lower in governance assessments. “Without addressing Sri Lanka’s governance issues, our efforts to rebuild the economy are akin to building a house without a solid foundation. Enhancing transparency and minimizing discretionary powers are imperative for improving Sri Lanka’s governance indicators,” he underscored.
He further warned, “Being content with temporary solutions is a costly mistake we’ve made repeatedly. The future of Sri Lanka now teeters on a precipice, with governance playing a pivotal role in determining whether we tread the right path or venture into dangerous territory.”
Sankhitha Gunaratne, Deputy Executive Director of TISL, stressed the urgency of implementing the proposed governance reforms in their entirety and without delay. She pointed out that key measures, such as introducing new legislation for asset recovery and procurement, establishing a ‘Beneficial Ownership Registry,’ and making the Asset Declarations of high-ranking public officials accessible to the public, are emphasized in both reports.
Professor Arjuna Parakrama, the researcher behind the Civil Society Governance Diagnostic Report, emphasized that these recommendations hold significance not only from an economic perspective but also in ensuring justice and fairplay for the masses.
The discussion also saw active participation from leaders of various organizations, including Rohana Hettiarachchi, Executive Director of PAFFREL; Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne, President of Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement; Dr. Jehan Perera, Executive Director of the National Peace Council; Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, Executive Director of CPA; and Lasanthika Hettiarachchi, Advocacy and Research Manager at TISL.
The governance reforms proposed in the 34 Recommendations — derived from extensive island-wide consultation with grassroots citizens and experts alike — garnered the overwhelming support of the civil society representatives who attended the discussion.
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
