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COVID-19: JVP tells govt. magic cannot help tackle pandemic
By Saman Indrajith
Written history of pandemics dating back to around 2,500 years indicates that only scientific methods could cure the patients, and therefore the government should stop promoting concoctions prepared by people without any scientific background, says the JVP.
Addressing the media at the JVP headquarters in Pelawatte, former MP Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said that the government should promote scientific methods and build people’s confidence in those methods in fighting the pandemic instead of wasting time and money on concoctions and other methods which have not yet been recognised by science.
“This is a pandemic and increasing awareness among people on scientific findings and methods to fight the disease are the only way to set about the task of tackling the disease. The government and its ministers are engaged in various methods that have no scientific basis. Throwing pots into rivers and drinking syrups that had nothing to do with science are the government ministers’ response in the face of the pandemic that has killed over 200 persons. Their actions have demoralised the doctors and other experts who rely on scientific methods and procedures.”
Dr. Jayatissa said that the government had lost its grip on the pandemic. “As of Saturday night the number of deaths reached 211 and the number of infections 44,000. Around 500-700 COVID-19 infected persons are found daily. At this rate within a week we may pass the 50,000 mark. This is a dangerous situation that does not permit dilly-dallying with potions by shamans putting the lives of infected people in danger. We must do everything possible to prevent the new variant of COVID-19 virus entering the country.
“The government’s performance in controlling the first wave of the pandemic is praiseworthy. It was successful because people followed the health guidelines and many government agencies including the security forces and intelligence agencies with the help of health authorities did their level best to control the disease. However, the people have lost their trust in the government following the second wave of the pandemic because the government still could not trace the origin of the second wave even after deploying eight CID experts for the purpose. People think that either the government cannot find it or it is hiding it from the people. Thereafter, the government started to promote locally made syrups and other unscientific methods. The Health Minister and several ministers started throwing pots into rivers. Thereafter starting from the Minister of Health, the Speaker of Parliament and Cabinet ministers ingested the syrup in public.
“Magic cannot cure pandemics. People should be advised to maintain one-metre distance, wash their hands frequently and to wear masks. The government even prepared quarantine laws and regulations during the first wave. But later in the second wave its own ministers violated those regulations in public. Those actions too contributed to people losing faith in the health and scientific methods.”
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
