News
Farmers warn against releasing 1 mn kilos of rice held at Port
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The United Rice Producers’ Association (URPA) has alleged that the releasing of one million kilos of rice held at the Colombo Port will lead to a sharp drop in the rice prices and the rice market could even collapse.
Muditha Perera, who heads the Polonnaruwa-based URPA, told The Island that farmers had been struggling to sell their produce. “If large stocks of imported rice are allowed into the market now, there would be a catastrophe,” Perera said. According to him, since Oct, 2021, nearly 700,000 metric tonnes of rice have been imported following the reduction of levy imposed on a kilo of rice to 25 cents.
The entrepreneur said that the URPA on Sunday (16) had brought the further deterioration of the situation to the notice of the Presidential Secretariat via an e-mail. In spite of a much-touted directive that had been issued by President Ranil Wickremesinghe as regards swift government response to public concerns, the URPA was yet to receive at least an acknowledgment, Perera said.
The Finance Ministry confirmed that State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya issued instructions on Oct 12 to the Customs to release one million kilos of imported rice that hadn’t been cleared over the past few years. According to the Finance Ministry, the decision has been taken following talks between State Minister Siyambalapitiya and Ports and Shipping Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva at the latter’s ministry.
The ministry disclosed that 79 containers, carrying one mn kilos of rice, had been held over the failure on the part of the importers to pay demurrage for failing to clear them on time. They were among 950 containers detained at the Colombo harbour on the same charge, the Finance Ministry said, adding that there were considerable quantities of turmeric and karunka among that backlog.
Muditha Perera said that successive governments had allowed large scale imports of rice and other items at the expense of local producers. In a letter, dated Oct 16, addressed to President Wickremesinghe, the URPA alleged that in spite of sufficient stocks in the country, the SLPP resumed rice imports in Oct 2021, much to the disappointment of farmers. Claiming that this was done at the request of major rice millers, affiliated to the ruling alliance, the Association blamed the then Trade and Agriculture Ministers, Bandula Gunawardena and Mahindananada Aluthgamage, respectively, for negligence and unilateral decisions taken at the expense of the farmers.
The Association alleged that in spite of the continuing severe foreign exchange crisis and the availability of sufficient stocks of rice, the government allowed rice imports probably in a deliberate attempt to discourage the farming community.
Commenting on the devastating impact of the fertiliser and agro chemicals ban imposed by the then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on the agriculture sector, the Association President asserted that the 2021/2022 Maha yield dropped by as much as 900,000 metric tonnes as a result.
The Association compared the large-scale import of rice with such imports in 2014/2015 that compelled the yahapalana government to even use Mattala airport to store paddy.
Declaring that the industry was in an acute crisis, Perera warned of irreparable damage to the economy. “Most of the farmers and small and medium rice producers are in a dilemma. Against the backdrop of sharp increase in electricity rates and depreciation of the rupee, the production costs have gone up,” Perera said.
The Association chief alleged that though some politicians referred to this issue, political parties hadn’t addressed the recurring problem though they repeatedly assured the farmers of their wellbeing. How could they guarantee food security when the farmers were unable to sell their produce, Perera said, urging Parliament to address the issues at hand or face the consequences.
News
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
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.”
News
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
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.
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CIPM successfully concludes 8th Annual Symposium
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.