News
Dudley censures Parliament over current crisis, alleges Ranil betrayed yahapalanaya
BY Shamindra Ferdinando
Dudley Sirisena, who owns one of the biggest rice mills in the country, yesterday (19) alleged that the government lacked the will to implement price control on selected varieties of rice. He said, as it seemed indifferent to the growing crisis, he felt the need to take a stand. But, the government was yet to support his initiative, he added.President of Rice Millers’ Association and Chairman of Araliya Group, Sirisena, one of those widely accused of manipulating the market, said in answer to a question posed by The Island on his declaration on Saturday that he would ensure the millers released adequate stocks of rice to the market to help the government implement price stability. Addressing the media in Colombo, Sirisena said that other millers had no option but to follow him.Sirisena said that a kilo of Nadu rice would be sold at Rs. 220, a kilo of Samba at Rs. 230 and a kilo of Keeri samba at Rs. 260 set by the government.
However, in response to another query, Sirisena said that some millers appeared to have opposed his suggestion and were challenging the government on price control, emphasizing the responsibility of the government to intervene decisively to maintain price controls.Sirisena explained on Saturday there were sufficient stocks of rice for the next few months. Declaring they could manage till mid-September, he suggested that the people should reduce consumption of rice to an extent as part of the overall measures to face the crisis situation.
Declaring all essential items were short of supply, amidst continuing blackouts, Sirisena warned soon there wouldn’t be anything.Commenting on Parliament, the maverick businessman alleged that all 225 members of Parliament hadn’t been able to address the grievances of the people. The businessman said that those so-called lawmakers only boasted but did nothing to serve the people. Asked whether his statement applied to his brother, former President and SLPP MP Maithripala Sirisena, an irate Dudley Sirisena pointed out that he referred to 225 MPs in Parliament. Therefore, there was no need to mention his brother separately, the businessman said, adding that certainly his brother was among the group he referred to.All useless 225 lawmakers in the current Parliament wanted to be the next President. There was no limit to their ambitions, he said.
Responding to a query on the relationship between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe against the backdrop of Maithripala Sirisena’s recent declaration that the President and the PM were on a collision course, Dudley Sirisena strongly criticized the UNP leader. The businessman said that Wickremesinghe betrayed the yahapalana administration within weeks after the 2015 presidential election by engineering Central Bank bond scams. Alleging that Wickremesinghe ruined the Yahapalana administration, Dudley Sirisena questioned the absurdity in them having to give into the dictates of Wickremesinghe and the likes of the UNP leader.Referring to the ongoing Galle Face protest campaign, Dudley Sirisena compared the current situation with that of the 2012/2013 period. According to him, Maithripala Sirisena realized the need for a political struggle at that time to free the country from the Rajapaksa rule but the operation couldn’t be brought to a successful conclusion in spite of 2015 change of government because Wickremesinghe protected the crooks.
Dudley Sirisena said that he wouldn’t succumb to political pressure under any circumstances. The businessman declared his support for the ongoing protest campaign.Dudley Sirisena urged the people to demand traders to follow price control and lodge complaints with the police. The businessman urged officials to take a stand on behalf of the hapless people.
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
