News
Courier service workers stole Apple phones, 16 devices recovered, six remanded
… cargo boxes opened at places not covered by CCTV at the BIA
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Six employees of an international courier service have been arrested for stealing at least 19 Apple phones. They were arrested on Saturday (8) following investigations conducted by the Negombo police.
DIG (Legal) and Attorney-at-Law Ajith Rohana said that among those taken into custody and remanded till May 10 (today), after having been produced before the Negombo Magistrate, were three supervisors, attached to the courier service, and three other persons of a manpower service, hired by the internationally reputed firm. DIG Rohana said that on the instructions of the supervisors, the labourers, provided by the manpower service, had opened cargo boxes at places not covered by thebCCTV camera network in operation at the BIA.
In spite of a range of counter measures in place at the Bandaranaike International Airport, those having access to the BIA continue to engage in illegal activities even at the risk of arrest, the DIG said. Responding to a query, DIG Rohana told The Island, those labourers assigned to collect cargo from the BIA opened boxes identified by the supervisors. The employees of the courier service exploited those sending Apple phones quoting a much lower price to avoid Customs imposing a levy, the top policeman said, adding that the courier service passed the losses to insurers. Those who didn’t receive phones sent to them could only claim for the amount quoted by the senders, lawyer Rohana said. “Perhaps, some didn’t even bother to complain,” DIG Rohana said.
The police initiated an inquiry recently after receiving a complaint regarding a missing Apple phone sent from Australia. Following investigations, the Negombo Division recovered 16 Apple phones from phone shops in Kandy, Divulapitiya and Minuwangoda.
DIG Rohana said that the suspects were residents of Minuwangoda, Ja-ela, Katupotha, Kottawa and Mattakkuliya.
The DIG emphasized that the actual number of phones stolen by this gang could be much more though the investigators identified 19 specific cases.
Responding to another query, DIG Rohana said that those companies having access to the BIA should be vigilant about workers regardless of their duties and responsibilities.
The police refrained from naming the courier service involved though The Island learns the suspects produced before the Negombo Magistrate were employees of leading international courier DHL and workers of a manpower agency hired by the same firm. The suspects are to be re-produced in court tomorrow (10)
DIG Rohana said that even stolen top of the line Apple phones fetched as much as Rs 200,000 in the local market. The police spokesperson said that those who hadn’t received Apple phones sent from abroad should get in touch with police on 071-4024042. The top police official said that the gang stole only Apple phones though a range of other hand phones were received by the courier service.
DIG Rohana said that regardless of immense difficulties caused by raging Covid-19 pandemic, the police were conducting investigations into what he called regular complaints. According to him, the robberies would have continued if not for a person who didn’t receive an Apple phone sent from Australia complained to law enforcement authorities. The Negombo police have taken over the investigation in the absence of any progress by the Katunayake police.
An investigator said that those who bought stolen Apple phones didn’t suspect anything as they received relevant documents along with the devices. The official said so when The Island asked why those who bought stolen goods hadn’t been arrested. “We are conducting further investigations into this racket,” the official 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
