News
Dire warning to VIP guards; CID arrests Rishad’s bodyguard
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Police spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana yesterday (14) said that those who had been assigned to provide security to politicians were duty bound to assist the police in case they (VIPs) evaded law enforcement authorities under any circumstances.
DIG Rohana, who is also an attorney-at-law, said so at a hastily arranged media briefing at the police headquarters.
DIG Rohana said that a police constable assigned to former minister and Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) lawmaker Rishad Bathiudeen’s security detail had been taken into custody on Tuesday evening in the Wellawatte police area.
At the onset of the briefing, DIG Rohana said that as a precautionary measure in view of the growing threat posed by corona, the police headquarters wouldn’t invite print media for briefings whereas television crews would be invited only if it was really necessary. However, audio recordings would be provided to all media organizations, the police spokesman said.
DIG Rohana told The Island that the constable had been taken into custody in terms of Section 209 of the Penal Code for harbouring and concealing a suspect.
There had never been previous instances of VIP bodyguards being taken into custody over absconding politicians.
According to him even though personnel had been assigned for VIP security tasks, they were responsible as law enforcement officers to assist the police. The police also seized two vehicles – a Range Rover and Axio allegedly used by Rishad Bathiudeen on Tuesday. The media were told, the raiding party took the vehicles into their custody along with drivers. “We also recovered two pistols, two magazines and 48 rounds of ammunition,” DIG Rohana said.
The arrested drivers were identified as 45 and 56 year old residents of Puttalam.
The police are looking for Rishad Bathiudeen over misappropriation of public funds to transport a group of voters from Puttalam to Mannar on Nov 16, 2019 on the day of the last presidential election.
Fort Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage on Tuesday told the CID that there was no requirement to issue a warrant for the former minister’s arrest as the police could take him into custody.
Referring to Attorney General Dappula de Livera, PC, issuing instructions on Monday, Oct 12, in respect of controversial release of Rishad Bathiudeen’s brother Riyaj, arrested on April 14, 2020 in connection with the Easter Sunday carnage, DIG Rohana said that two special teams would inquire into issues raised by the AG.
The AG has found fault with the CID over the release of Riyaj on Sept. 29.
Acknowledging that the issue had even attracted the attention of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, DIG Rohana said that a high level internal investigation was now underway. DIG Rohana said that the AG issued instructions in respect of seven vital matters regarding the Riyaj investigation. Two teams, each comprising 30 officers headed by two SSPs would inquire into the seven contentious matters, including money laundering et al under direct supervision of the new DIG, CID, DIG Rohana said.
DIG Rohana revealed that in the wake of the AG meeting the new DIG, CID where fresh instructions were received, Secretary Defence Maj. Gen. (retd.) Kamal Gunaratne, participated in a meeting to decide the future course of action.
DIG Rohana said that the police would take tangible measures to restore confidence in the CID.
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
