News
Ex-Ambassador to WTO demands disclosure of contents of containers consigned to Colombo aboard ‘Dali’
‘Baltimore accident a blessing in disguise as it exposed a crime perpetrated here’
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Sri Lanka’s former Ambassador to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Gomi Senadhira yesterday (02) said that the ill-fated Singaporean cargo vessel ‘Dali’ chartered by Maerask wouldn’t have taken on board containers carrying hazardous materials that were to be unloaded here without specific approval from the relevant authorities in Colombo.
Senadhira said that the government without any further delay should take tangible measures to identify those who had authorised the shipment of such dangerous materials. The former official said that the identities of those who had been involved in this operation must have been known to the powers that be.
The government could seek the assistance of the US in this regard, the outspoken former official said. “The issue at hand is how many such shipments reached Colombo over the years,” Senadhira said, pointing out that if not for the vessel crashing into the Francis Scott Key Bridge, Baltimore, on March 26, it could have been on its way to the Colombo harbour.
According to international news agencies, the 21 crew comprised 20 Indians and one Sri Lankan.
A stickler when it comes to following protocol, Senadhira said that the containers appeared to have not been cleared by the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) and the possibility of persons with authority exploiting BoI procedures for their benefit couldn’t be ruled out.
Director Customs Seevali Arukgoda said that Customs has no way of knowing who the consignee is and what the cargo is until the cargo manifest is filed by the agent here. Even then, cargo description is in most cases not sufficient to properly identify such goods. No one will declare contents as “Toxic waste,” the official said, in response to The Island query.
Senadhira served as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the World Trade Organisation for a period of three years, beginning 2004 after he held the post of Minister Counsellor in Washington and Brussels, from 1998-2001 and 2001 to 2004, respectively.
He recalled that a few years ago the UK was exposed for shipping to Colombo 263 containers of hazardous waste, including human body parts from hospitals/mortuaries. Those containers were taken back after the exposure, Senadhira said, expressing serious concern whether far more hazardous waste were being shipped here aboard Dali with the connivance of the relevant authorities here.
Senadhira said that he was glad the Opposition raised this issue in Parliament yesterday (02).
Referring to the extensive coverage of the accident and its aftermath, Senadhira said that the crash happened immediately after Dali left Baltimore harbour. The vessel’s next stop was to be Colombo, the former public servant said, adding that prior to Baltimore, the Dali called at New York and Norfolk, Virginia, where some of those containers or all bound for Colombo were loaded.
Senadhira said that he expected the Opposition to go flat out both in and out of Parliament until the government revealed what was going on. Responding to another query, Senadhira said that this was nothing but a massive crime perpetrated on hapless people by those who would turn the country into a toxic waste yard for personal gain.
The vessel carried 4,700 containers. Senadhira said that the Parliament should take up this issue vigorously and seek answers as every attempt would obviously be made to suppress the information by those involved, Senadhira said.
He pointed out that some politicians and officials obviously cooperated with interested parties and reached agreements for their benefit, but at a massive expense to the country. The controversial agreement finalized with Singapore during the Yahapalana administration to accept waste from that country was just a case in point, Senadhira said, urging political parties to seek a consensus on matters of national importance.
The Baltimore accident is a tragedy as it caused colossal damages and claimed the lives of several persons. But, that incident is in a way a blessing in disguise as it exposed a grave crime about to be perpetrated against Sri Lanka, Senadhira said.
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
