News
Controversy over awarding of doctorates Defence Secy. inquires into accusations
DIG Ajith Rohana receiving his title from Prof. Chandima Wijegunawardhana as Rohan Pallewatta looks on
Institution concerned denies allegations
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Amidst a controversy over PhDs being awarded by British-American University, Florida to selected persons in Sri Lanka, the Defence Ministry has raised the issue with the Ceylon College of Applied Studies (CCAS), which organised the event at the BMICH, recently.
The Island
learns that Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. Kamal Gunaratne has sought an explanation as regards the special graduation ceremony conducted under the auspices of Wimalaweera Dissanayake, State Minister of Wildlife Conservation Protection Programmes, including Electric Fence and Ditch Construction and Re-Forestation and Wildlife Resources Development.
Executive Chairman of Lanka Harness Company (Pvt) Rohan Pallewatta, who delivered the keynote address at the event yesterday (7) told The Island that he attended the event on an invitation from the organizers.
Pallewatta, who contested the 2019 presidential election as well as the 2020 general election emphasised that as an invitee he couldn’t be expected to inquire into the background of the organisers of an event. Responding to another query, Pallewatta said that he had responded to criticism as he felt it was unjustified.
Asked whether CCAS had received money from any of those recipients of honorary doctorates in return for the titles, a spokesperson answered in the negative. There had been approximately 500 applications from prospective recipients representing various fields, the representative said, adding that of them 250 were shortlisted by CCAS Chairman Sainulabdeen Najimudeen and five lecturers. Subsequently, 50 persons had been chosen by the Chancellor of the British American University, Prof. Muhammad Omalaja and three Professors from the British American University, Florida USA.
The recipients included Senior DIG Roshan Fernando, DIG Ajith Rohana, DIG Champika Siriwardhana, DIG Sanjeewa Medawaththa, human rights activist Muheed Jiran, Prisons Commissioner (Administration) Chandana Ekanayaka, Youth Director Isuru Bandara. Police headquarters removed DIG Medawaththa from the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) following the exposure group of officers and men attached to the elite unit dealing in heroin and with crime syndicates under his nose.
Titles were received from Prof. Chandima Wijegunawardhana, who was on the UNP Colombo District list at the recently concluded general election, Dr. Rohan Pallewatta and Prof. Bashir Riskan and State Minister Wimalaweera Dissanayaka.
The Island
asked two of those who had received honorary doctorates whether the August 23 event involved any financial transaction. They said theirs were honorary doctorates and not PhDs, contrary to claims being made in some quarters.
The special graduation ceremony took place after the annual graduation ceremony of various degree holders of a couple of other universities, in addition to the CCAS affiliated to the British -American University, Florida, the spokesperson said. Responding to another query, the spokesperson said that those who had received various titles were all students.
Sources told The Island that the government should inquire into various institutions awarding degrees to locals. They alleged that awarding unearned degrees/doctorates to well-known persons could be part of their strategy to entice new students.
Hassan Mubarak, a recipient of an MBA from the University of Colombo, said he and his colleagues had worked hard to earn their degrees but there were some institutions which gave away MBAs and doctorates.
Mubarak, who has inquired into operations undertaken by various educational institutes alleged that another controversial graduation ceremony where questionable doctorates was to be offered was scheduled to take place at the BMICH in a few weeks.
CCAS responded to a spate of questions raised by The Island regarding its activities in Sri Lanka and said it was open for any inquiry. Anyone suspicious of the special graduation ceremony could inquire from those law enforcement officers et al whether the CCAS sought special favours or money for those honorary titles.
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
