News
COPE questions Ceylon Coal Company officials on Rs. 1.1 billion loss
A probe by the COPE (Committee on Public Enterprises) yesterday found that a loss to the tune of Rs. 1.1 billion had occurred due to the non-specification of the quantity of coal required when calling for tenders for the purchase of the raw material by the Ceylon Coal Company (Pvt) Limited.
The Ceylon Coal Company (Pvt) Ltd. had purchased coal on a short-term basis without following the proper procurement process, the COPE was informed at its meeting at the Parliamentary Complex with its Chairman Prof Charitha Herath presiding.
COPE members Ministers Mahinda Amaraweera, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, State Ministers Nalaka Godahewa, Sarath Weerasekera, Ajith Nivard Cabraal, MPs Patali Champika Ranawaka, Eran Wickramaratne, Jagath Pushpakumara, Premnath C. Dolawatta, S.M. Marikkar and Rauff Hakeem were present at the meeting.
A group of senior officials of the Ceylon Coal Company Ltd had been summoned to respond to the queries of the COPE probe. They told the committee that they had expected to take the advantage of the fluctuations in market prices by purchasing coal on a short-term basis.
COPE Chairman Herath pointed out the need to handle tenders with the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers in accordance with the prescribed procurement process.
The Norochcholai Lakvijaya Power Plant was added to the national grid to meet a 900 MW electricity requirement, but there was a shortfall of 90 MW, the COPE was told.
It was also revealed at the meeting that only 810 MW was actually being generated and that 90 MW shortfall was unavoidable.
Secretary of the Cabinet Procurement Committee had been absent from the Procurement Committee meetings on eight occasions and an Additional Secretary has been appointed for the purpose. Therefore, the COPE Committee noted that there was a problem with the legitimacy of decisions taken. However, officials said that it was possible to appoint an Additional Secretary for the purpose. The Chairman recommended submitting an immediate report to the COPE to ascertain whether this was correct.
The committee asked why three barges purchased by the Ceylon Electricity Board at a cost of Rs. 1100 million had been handed over to the Sri Lanka Navy. The COPE directed the Secretary to the Ministry to submit an immediate report on the procedure followed in handing over the barges and the reasons for their inability to maintain them.
The newspaper advertisements had said that five years’ experience in coal supply was required for the supplier, but applications had been issued to companies with only three years’ experience. The committee was of the view that it had put the coal company at a disadvantage. It also said no formal procedure had been followed on the last day of bidding. The Committee decided that those matters should be duly investigated.
The COPE asked whether the involvement of the Sri Lanka Shipping Corporation in the purchase of coal would result in a loss than the purchase of coal through another institution under the normal tender system. It recommended submitting a report in that regard.
The COPE noted the need for regular meetings with the Ceylon Electricity Board, the Ceylon Shipping Corporation, the Ceylon Coal Company and the relevant ministry and its members to draw their attention to the cost of operating thermal power plants.
The COPE Chairman instructed officials to submit all reports on these matters within one month.
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
