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Duty-free permits for lawmakers and House officials: Govt. sidesteps several RTI queries
The Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government claimed that it was not aware of the total number of vehicle permits issued to members, the year the scheme came into being and whether all political parties represented in the House supported the move.
When this issue was first raised with the Parliament in terms of Right to Information Act No 12 of 2016, The Island was told that the questions pertaining to MPs should be forwarded to the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government.
The Parliament did so on behalf of The Island , whereas questions regarding the issuance of vehicle permits were answered by Hansa Abeyratne, RTI officer and Deputy Secretary General of Parliament.
Of the 10 questions originally submitted to Parliament, the Hansa Abeyratne responded to question number 09 pertaining to parliament whereas D. M. C. Nalaka Dissanayake (ND), RTI Office and Senior Assistant Secretary (Parliamentary Affairs) of Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government answered rest of the questions (Q 1 to 8 and 10).
The Parliamentary Affairs section claimed that it had information regarding issuance of duty free permits issued since 2000.
(1) The Island: When did Parliament introduce the duty-free vehicle permit scheme?
ND: No response
(2) The Island: Would you please name the political party that made the proposal regarding duty-free vehicle permits? Did that proposal receive the support of all political parties represented in parliament at that time?
ND: As the Parliamentary Affairs section has been placed under the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government since 2000, information pertaining to the issuance of duty free vehicle permits during the period this particular section operated as a separate ministry and under some other ministries was not available. Therefore the Parliamentary Affairs section couldn’t find the information sought.
(3) The Island: The total number of duty-free vehicle permits issued to members since the introduction of the scheme?
ND: Parliamentary Affairs section didn’t have the required information.
(4) The Island: Could you please name the MPs who had received five or more such permits?
ND: Parliamentary Affairs section didn’t have the required information.
(5) The Island: Did Parliament advise MPs that vehicles brought under duty free permits couldn’t be sold to a third party?
ND: Yes.
(6) The Island: In case of resignation of an MP including National List member even just weeks before the completion of the term does the successor receive an opportunity to procure a duty-free vehicle?
ND: Yes.
(7) The Island: When did Parliament last issued duty free vehicle permits?
ND: Duty free vehicle permits were issued for the period 2015-Sept 1-2020 March 02.
(8) The Island: Could you give reasons for the suspension of the issuance of duty free permits?
ND: A decision was yet to be taken in this regard.
(10) The Island: The duty free value of the permit when it was first issued and the value at the last time it was done?
ND: We are not aware of its value when it was first issued. However on the last occasion (2015-2020) the CIF value (Cost, insurance and Freight) value was USD 62,500.
The parliament was however able to provide a comprehensive answer regarding the issuance of duty free permits to its officers.
According to the Deputy Secretary General Hansa Abeyratne altogether 148 permits had been issued since 1999. Abeyratne provided a breakdown: 1999 January to 2001 January 42 permits, 2007 January to 2008 january06, 2011 January to 2013 June 34, 2013 June to 2015 January 14, 2016 January to 2017 January 07, 2018-January to 2018 June 03 and 2018 June to 2024 January 42.
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
