News
Covid threat: Sabry backs mandatory vaccination, Keheliya ready to consult AG
Rohini says manipulation of data disastrous
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Justice Minister Ali Sabry PC, yesterday (20) said that the vaccine should be made mandatory unless there were compelling medical reasons to decline the only available ‘safeguard’ so far.
Declaring he had taken the vaccine, the SLPP National List MP emphasised that the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) repeatedly urged the Muslim community to take the vaccine.
Responding to The Island queries. Lawmaker Sabry said that his elderly mother, too, received the vaccine.
Newly appointed Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said that he intended to take up the issue with the Attorney General’s Department.
Acknowledging the possibility of various interested parties launching a legal challenge against the move, the former media minister asserted that the government could ignore the continuing risk posed by those who declined the vaccination.
The call for making vaccination mandatory has gathered momentum in the wake of the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) urging the government to consider a third dose for frontline health workers as well as the entire population as the raging epidemic posed quite a threat. Dr. GMOA Secretary Senal Fernando early this week emphasized the urgent need to consider a third dose due to some recipients of both doses being tested Covid-19 positive.
Minister Sabry explained vaccination was the primary safeguard all over the world as repeatedly pointed out by medical experts. The minister dismissed assertions that the Muslim community opposed the vaccination drive.
Both Mujibur Rahman (SJB/Colombo) and Mohammed Muzammil (SLPP/National List) said that they received the vaccine as obviously there was no other cure.
State Minister Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle told The Island that a substantial number of those who had succumbed to Covid-19 didn’t receive at least a single dose of vaccine. Dr. Fernandopulle said that among the recent victims were a doctor and other professionals.
“Refusal to take vaccination is quite a problem, a serious issue that can be addressed by making it mandatory through legal means,” the State Minister said, underscoring the importance of taking tangible short-term and long term measures. Vaccination should be made mandatory to influence and compel the public to take the vaccine for their protection.
Former Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission and SJB MP Rohini Kaviratne (Matale district) are among those who recently backed the call to make vaccination mandatory.
Lawmaker Kaviratne said that the government should stop manipulating Covid-19 data in a bid to deceive the country. Referring to the sharp discrepancy in figures released by the Epidemiology Unit and the senior officer in charge of the Matale district, MP Kaviratne accused the government of suppressing data.
She alleged that those responsible had even altered the number of families quarantined in the Matale district. Responding to another query, the former UNPer said that manipulation of Covid-19 data had been quite widespread and certainly not restricted to the Matale district.
The SJB MP asked the rationale in suppressing accurate data. Lawmaker Kaviratne pointed out that SLPP constituent, the National Freedom Front (NFF) publicly accused two senior officials of the Epidemiology Unit and a senior military official of manipulating Covid-19 figures pertaining to the Gampaha District. The MP asked the NFF whether the government responded to its accusation or just turned a blind eye.
Lawmaker Kaviratne pointed out that a recent letter that requested President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to declare a three-week long ‘lockdown’ in the face of deteriorating Covid-19 situation, written by smaller parties which contested the last general election on the SLPP ticket revealed serious differences among the constituents. She pointed out the SLPP with over 100 members elected refrained from making that request for obvious reasons.
The MP urged the government to stop playing politics with the issue. Such strategies would be detrimental to public health, she 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
