News
Deal on ECT based on Sirisena’s talks with Modi and Abe – Govt.
DEW warns foreign investments in ports and airports jeopardise national security
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Former President Maithripala Sirisena has opposed the proposed Indian investment at the East Container Terminal (ECT) of the Colombo Port, but he himself agreed to Indian and Japanese investment during discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 11, 2018 in New Delhi, and with the then Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo on March 14, 2018, according to highly placed government sources.
President Sirisena met PM Modi on the sidelines of the First Conference of the International Solar Alliance (ISA). From New Delhi, President Sirisena flew to Japan on the invitation of Prime Minister Abe. President Sirisena returned to Colombo on March 17.
At the time of the tripartite agreement involving Sri Lanka, India and Japan, the SLFP was a partner of the UNP-led yahapalana administration. President Sirisena came to an understanding with two allies of the US against the backdrop of humiliating defeat at the local government polls on 10 February 2018.
Current SLPP MP Sirisena, who is the SLFP leader, recently has told the media his party is totally opposed to Indian investment at the ECT.
Dr. Harsha de Silva, MP, on behalf of the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) threw his weight behind the project and the UNP remained silent.
Sources pointed out that the tripartite Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) dated May 28, 2019 specifically referred to the geo-political importance for Quad members Japan and India whose intention was to secure 49 per cent of the ECT.
The US-led defence organisation, Quad, also includes Australia, where the US maintains a permanent military presence. Japan is also a base for US forces while US-India defence cooperation is at its zenith now.
A section of the international media referred to Quad as an Asian NATO to counter the growing Chinese threat.
The Sirisena-Wickremesinghe government on Oct 6, 2015 entered into a ‘comprehensive partnership’ that enabled a greater Japanese role in Sri Lanka.
Although the former President claims that he has always opposed the foreign investment at the ECT, the MoC reveals the absence of specific time period for the operation of the tripartite agreement. According to a copy of the agreement seen by , the proposed Terminal Operations Company (TOC) would provide the required equipment and systems and manage the ‘ECT for long periods.’
On behalf of Sri Lanka, India and Japan, Ports and Shipping Minister Sagala Ratnayake, High Commissioner Taranjith Singh Sandhu and Ambassador Akira Sugiyama signed the MoC.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa recently explained the difficulty in reversing the tripartite agreement Sri Lanka entered into during the previous administration.
Former Minister and General Secretary of the Communist Party Dew Gunasekera yesterday told The Island that the India-Japan move on the ECT should be examined against the backdrop of China securing a terminal on a 35-year lease in the Colombo harbour during the previous Rajapaksa administration (2010-2015) and the strategic Hambantota Port in 2017 from yahapalana regime on a 99-year-lease.
The CP veteran said that he had explained at a public meeting held in Matara on Thursday (28) why foreign investment shouldn’t be allowed at the ECT. He stressed that foreign powers should never be given control of ports and airports under any circumstances.
The former minister also made reference to the ACSA (Access and Cross Servicing Agreement) finalised in early August 2017 by Sri Lanka and the US. It paved the way for access for the US military to all Sri Lankan facilities, he added, urging the government to re-consider its policy in respect of foreign investments.
The former Minister said that the investigation into S.W.R.D.Bandaranaike assassination had revealed that the crime had been committed over an alleged bid made by the assassin Ven. Thalduwe Somarama to form a company to manage the Colombo Port under his leadership. The former CP leader said that the country was at a crossroads and the current leadership had the responsibility for ensuring a safer path. Sri Lanka couldn’t afford to take sides in the ongoing battle between the Western powers and China.
Responding to another query, the former minister pointed out that in addition to ACSA, the US sought agreement on MCC (Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact) and SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement) in line with its overall geo-political strategy. India was now a powerful US ally therefore Sri Lanka should be cautious in its approach, he 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
