News
Dissident SLPP faction issues warning over Geneva, IMF and GSP+
GL: Govt. is using PTA, having promised not to extend Emergency
By Shamindra Ferdinando
SLPP Chairman Prof. G. L. Peiris, MP, has issued a dire warning to President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the SLPP administration over the continuing crackdown on anti-government protesters.Addressing the media, in Kandy, after paying homage to senior Kandy-based Buddhist monks, on Saturday (20), the former Foreign Affairs Minister censured the government over the detention of Wasantha Mudalige, the convener of the Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF) in terms of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
The former minister was flanked by former ministers, Dullas Alahapperuma and Prof. Channa Jayasumana. The rebel group’s visit to Kandy coincided with President Wickremeisnghe’s visit, meant to receive the blessings of the Maha Sangha.
In addition to Mudalige, law enforcement authorities, on August 18, detained Ven. Galwewa Siridhamma Thera and Bhashantha Jeewantha Gunathilake, under detention orders.The IUSF, affiliated to the breakaway JVP faction, the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) played a significant role in the protest campaign that forced the then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign on July 14.
The SLPP National List member alleged that the ruling SLPP’s response to the public protest campaign was contrary to their original policy. Declaring that his group represented the real SLPP, Prof. Peiris emphasized they voted against the imposition of Emergency regulations as the group was opposed to the continuing crackdown. President Wickremesinghe dropped Prof. Peiris from the Cabinet, at the behest of the SLPP. Former Justice Minister Prof. Ali Sabry, PC, who served as the Finance Minister, for a brief period, was recently sworn in as the Foreign Minister.
Referring to President Wickremesinghe recent declaration that Emergency wouldn’t be re-imposed, lawmaker Prof. Peiris questioned the arrest of the IUSF activist, on terrorism charges.The MP strongly defended the protesters right to campaign against the government. Prof. Peiris, who led Sri Lanka’s delegation at the last session of the Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), said that the ongoing crackdown could place the country in an extremely difficult situation at the forthcoming 51st session.
The lawmaker said the government strategy, vis a vis the protest movement, could jeopardize ongoing talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as well as the GSP-plus facility provided by the European Union.Recollecting the recommendations presented to Parliament, in respect of the PTA by him, on behalf of the government, about three months ago, Prof. Peiris said that there was consensus that the dreaded law shouldn’t be utilized, pending total review of the PTA.
The former minister declared that there couldn’t be any justification in detaining the IUSF activists as they exercised the constitutional right to protest.Prof. Peiris told The Island that in spite of the temporary relief received due to improvement in the supplies, the overall situation remained dicey. The failure on the part of the government to secure the support of all political parties, and factions, to form the proposed all-party-government highlighted the crisis the ruling party experienced, Prof. Peiris said.
The former minister said that President Wickremesinghe was recently informed of their position as regards cooperation that could be extended to the government. Responding to another query, the academic challenged the government should respond to severe criticism that the 22nd Amendment would pave the way for a jumbo Cabinet at the expense of the hapless public, struggling to make ends meet.
Prof. Peiris said that the genuine Opposition would cooperate on a campaign to resist the government. The MP expressed confidence that the Opposition could thwart the government plans to suppress the ongoing protest campaign. The former Foreign Minister said that the international community was closely watching the situation and those who believed all could be hoodwinked would soon leant a lesson.
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
