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Civil society group criticises role of ADB, which holds its 55th AGM here
By Ifham Nizam
The Sri Lankan Civil society organisations yesterday criticised the role of the Asian Developmnt Bank (ADB) in helping bring about economic sustainability of Sri Lanka and its failure to defend the social, economic, environmental, gender and energy justice, and livelihoods with dignity.
The group comprises Hemantha Withanage of the CEJ/Friends of the Earth Sri Lanka, Thilak Kariyawasam, (Sri Lanka Nature Group), Dilena Pathragoda (Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ)), Chinthaka Rajapaksha (Movement for Land and Agricultural Reform (MONLAR), S.P. Liyanaarachchi (Sri Lanka Climate and Forest Action Network (SLCFAN)), Sandun Thudugala (Law and Society Trust), Prabath kumara (Future in Our Hand Development foundation), Ranjith Wickremasinghe (Organization for Environmental and Child Right Protection (OECRP), Karunadasa Munagama (“Mihithala Mithuro” Environmental Development Foundation), Chathura Welivitiya (Human and Environmental link progressive Organization), W.H.S. Nandajith (Asia Lanka social Development Cooperation), P.R. Wijewardana (Human and Community Development Youth Organization), Chamli Jayarathne (National Dairy Farmers Movement), Michael Joachim (Plantation Rural Education and Development Organization (PREDO) )and Sarala Emmanuel (Suriya Women’s development Centre)
Withanage said that on the occasion of the 55th Annual General Meeting of the Board of Governors of the ADB, which is being hosted by the Sri Lanka government and chaired by the Sri Lankan Finance Minister Ali Sabry, yesterday: “We as the Sri Lankan Civil society organizations question the failed role of the regional development bank to build the economic sustainability of the country and failure to defend the social, economic, environmental, gender and energy justice, and livelihoods with dignity.”
They stressed that Sri Lanka played a leading role in founding ADB in 1966. Since then, Sri Lanka has received USD 11.5 billion worth of loans over the last 55 years which include 3.5 billion for the transport sector and 1.5 billion for the energy sector. About 13% out of the country’s total debt is owed to ADB. Yet, Sri Lanka’s public transport sector is so much deteriorated, and the energy sector is in a real crisis.
However, they said Sri Lanka is now facing a serious economic crisis, social and political crisis resulting due to the years of mismanagement by the corrupt political regimes. It has resulted poor committing suicides and many compromise children’s education, health, nutrition, and other basic needs. It should be noted that the ruling regime has been using the police to arrest the peaceful protestors and harass them, violating fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution.
The ADB model of development has resulted in huge inequities and created rich and poor disparities. The Poor continue to be exploited through the market, less wages and patriarchal system of oppression. Although Sri Lanka ended its civil war in 2009, it still uses the military tools to oppress the descendants and even has brought the military personnel to the civil service to manipulate the decisions. Deregulation of the natural resources have seen in the past several years which has resulted in over exploitation making achievement of SDG goals and NDCs a dream, they further said.
ADB funded the Upper Elahera Canal project which has created many irreversible social and environmental problems. The project has destroyed the elephant habitats and lost the total income of the Minneriya and Kaudulla national parks. The project does not have adequate water to carry to the northern province and has given false hopes to the people in the North.
ADB assistance to Sri Lanka’s energy sector has not been able to sustain energy generation in the country. High dependence on fossil fuel has resulted in the current energy crisis. Recently concluded feasibility study resulted in promoting LNG power plants in Kerawalapitiya which also undermined the energy sovereignty of the country, they said.
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
