News
Dr. Sudarshini believes Covid-19 vaccine should be made mandatory
By Shamindra Ferdinando
State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle said that the Covid-19 vaccine should be made mandatory for all Sri Lankans.
Dr. Fernandopulle said so when The Island asked her whether the country struggling to cope up with the raging Covid-19 epidemic should introduce laws to make Covid-19 vaccination compulsory for all. The State Minister’s view was sought in the wake of Sergeant-at-Arms of Parliament Narendra Fernando’s declaration that MPs as well as the parliamentary staff could opt not to take the vaccine.
The Sgt.-at-Arms said that about a dozen lawmakers of the 225-member Parliament hadn’t received the vaccine though arrangements were made for them to receive jab at the Military Hospital, Narahenpita or Parliament.
Sri Lanka uses AstraZeneca, Sinopharm, Moderna, Sputnik and Pfizer in its vaccination programme with China produced Sinopharm being the major vaccine available here accounting for about 80 per cent of all anti-covid vaccinations.
Responding to another query, Dr. Fernandopulle said that the Covid Task Force chaired by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa would have to decide on making the vaccination compulsory. Dr. Fernandopulle stressed the importance of receiving whatever the available vaccine.
The Island learns that the issue had been brought to the notice of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday. Authoritative sources said that the government was convinced by mid-September a significant number of Sri Lankans would receive both vaccines thanks to tireless efforts made by health workers and the armed forces.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is of the view that instead of a ‘lockdown’, stringent measures were necessary to control people’s movements. Sources said that in spite of a spate of reports pertaining to impending ‘lockdown’ the top decision makers ruled that out.
Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) lawmakers Mujibur Rahman (Colombo District) and Rohini Kaviratne (Matale district) said that the vaccination emerged as the primary safeguard against the epidemic. Therefore, the people had no option but to receive vaccines depending on the availability, they said, urging the government to take the overall situation into consideration without depending entirely on the vaccination programme.
MP Rahman said that he received the vaccine at an SLAF base recently in Colombo, whereas MP Kaviratne said she received hers at the Parliament. Lawmaker Rahman said that he had been compelled to delay taking the vaccine on medical advice. The former UNP MP tested Covid positive on May 19th.
Lawmaker Kaviratne emphasized that the government was answerable to the people. Referring to recent declaration by Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella that once the government vaccinated the people the rest would be up to the gods, MP Kaviratne said that the SLPP received two mandates in 2019 and 2020 at the presidential and parliamentary polls, respectively. Therefore, it would be the SLPP government’s responsibility, she said, urging government spokespersons not to involve the powers above in the matter.
The MP recalled how at the onset of the Covid triggered crisis the government promoted so-called miracle covid tonic known as Dammika Paniya and engaged in all sorts of superstitious nonsense at the public expense.
Responding to another query, MP Kaviratne said that she received Sinopharm along with some members of the Parliamentary staff. “I never bothered about any particular vaccine though I delayed taking it until the vaccination got underway in Matale district,” MP Kaviratne said.
Meanwhile, Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardena has called for an urgent meeting on Monday (16) under Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena’s leadership to discuss the current situation. Sources speculated that with the increased threat posed by Covid-19 the party leaders were likely to cancel scheduled sittings beginning August 17 (Tuesday) to Friday.
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
