News
Exports collapse, unemployment rises: Eran Wickremaratne
Pledges to reverse fertilizer policy
SJB parliamentarian Eran Wickramaratne says that his party has decided to allow the use of chemical fertilizer in order to promote export- oriented value -added commercial agriculture.
Addressing a media briefing held at the Opposition Leader’s Office in Colombo, Wickramaratne said that the crisis that started with the food shortages under this government which has no economic policy or plan has now spread to all sectors of the economy, leading to a collapse in exports and a large number of unemployment due to import restrictions on intermediary goods used for exports without dollars.
He said that future SJB government would give priority to exports and the government will mediate directly to seek foreign market opportunities for small and medium scale entrepreneurs. Actions would also be taken to provide the required technology to SME sectors on a priority basis.
Further, in order to give equal opportunity for women in obtaining employment in the private sector, a scheme will be introduced to provide financial relief for maternity leave to private sector employees.
“This government came in to office by spreading falsehoods, inciting racism and with distorted public opinion as it had no policies for governance. The Thera of Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya performed a drama of a cobra emerging from Kelani River with a sacred relic, then had a play on arrest of ‘Ranaviruvan’, later staged a play on ‘MCC’ agreement and made another play about the Singapore Free Trade Accord. Now the entire country has realized that this government knows nothing about governance and economic and financial management,” he said.
“Now they are making a soundtrack and using it to get the Attorney General to withdraw cases against politicians of the ruling family and their cronies. Now the latest drama is about chemical fertilizers, power cuts and gas explosions.”
At a time when everything has turned upside down under this government, some ministers have started preaching to deceive the people saying that they should think positively. The government is now creating a dream of the future by misleading the people forgetting the reality, Wickramaratne said.
He said that the Governor of the Central Bank has told a foreign channel on January 24 that Sri Lanka has all the food stocks that it needs.
“But when you go to a shop, you are given only one packet of milk powder per customer. A notice to that effect has also been displayed. Don’t MPs and ministers see this reality? The government advises people to be positive in the face of such market crisis. In order to do so, there must be clarity about the government’s policies and programs.
“Under the existing economy in this country is where not even a bag of cement is freely available. A delegation from the packaging industry told us that there was no corrugated paper in the market. Shortage of intermediary goods to manufacture cartons for export of goods, not only disrupts exports but also leads to the collapse of local industries and unemployment. The food crises in the country has spread one by one and affected the entire sectors but the government has no practical solution.”
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
