News
Discrepancy in compensation for terror victims highlighted
Easter Sunday probe:
By Rathindra Kuruwita
There was no uniform policy on compensating those killed or injured in terror attacks or riots and political influence had help those affected by riots in Digana and Beruwala receive higher compensation than the victims of Easter Sunday attacks, the Presidential Commission of Inquiry on the Easter Sunday attacks was informed yesterday.
Acting Director of the Office of Reparations S. M. Bathiudeen told the PCoI that one million rupees each had been paid for the persons killed during the Easter Sunday attacks. However, two million rupees each had been paid for those killed during the anti-Muslim riots in Digana and Beruwala, he said.
“We have received 220 applications from families of those killed during the Easter Sunday attacks. Rs. 220 million was paid to these individuals. The Cabinet also decided to pay a maximum of Rs. 500,000 to those who were injured. Rs. 86 million was paid to 506 applicants. There was also a cap of Rs. 5 million for properties that were damaged.”
The families of those who died during the Digana and Beruwala riots were paid Rs. 2 million each and there was no cap as regards damages caused to properties.
Bathiudeen said: “There was a meeting at the Kandy Kachcheri after the Digana riots. The then PM Ranil Wickremesinghe, Ministers Rauff Hakeem and Lakshman Kiriella and Kandy MPs were present. They decided on the amounts to be paid. Those who were injured at Digana were also compensated without medical reports.”
Bathiudeen said that people frequently asked him why they had been paid less than others who had been in a similar situation. The amount to be paid was not decided by the Office of Reparations, but by politicians. It was unfair that only Rs. 100,000 each was paid for those killed in the North.
“We don’t decide on the figures. We are not even asked. We are sent Cabinet papers and we implement them,” Bathiudeen said.
Bathiudeen was then cross-examined by Shamil Perera, PC, who represents the Archbishop of Colombo, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith.
Shamil Perera: “How much was an injured person to be paid?”
Bathiudeen: “The Cabinet decided to put a cap of Rs. 500,000 as regards the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks. But people were paid less based on medical reports. We judged the effect of these injuries would have on his or her earning capacity.”
Perera PC: “You said that 280 injured persons of the blast at Katuwapitiya Church were compensated. However only 32 victims have received Rs. 500,000. Meanwhile 147 people, the overwhelming majority, received only Rs. 50,000 each. At Kochchikade 102 were injured. Only 13 victims received Rs. 500,000 each. Meanwhile 40 people received only Rs. 50,000 each. Did you know that these people had serious injuries”
Bathiudeen: “Yes.”
Perera PC: “Many people had to undergo surgeries. Is Rs. 500,000 enough for a surgery?’
Bathiudeen: “It’s true. The Cabinet took this decision”.
Perera PC: “Do you know that the Catholic Church paid for the surgeries?”
Bathiudeen: “No.”
Perera PC: “You said that those who died at Digana and Beruwala received higher amounts due to political influence.”
Bathiudeen: “As I said the numbers were agreed upon during the meeting at the Kandy Kachcheri. The then Minister of Rehabilitation D. M. Swaminathan prepared the first draft. The Finance Ministry headed by then PM Ranil Wickremesinghe then amended the Cabinet paper.”
A Commissioner: “Politicians didn’t try to increase compensation for Easter Sunday attack victims?”
Bathiudeen: “Politicians on different occasions decide on various numbers.”
Perera, PC: “Do you agree that the compensation paid to Easter Sunday attack victims is not enough?”
Bathiudeen: “The amount is less than what was paid to the victims in Digana and Beruwala.”
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
