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Gevindu confident of President keeping his promise to unveil new draft Constitution before end of this year
‘Gammanpila initiated a new political culture by taking public into confidence’
By Shamindra Ferdinando
SLPP parliamentarian Gevindu Cumaratunga is confident a new draft Constitution will be presented to the country before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa completes two years in office in November.
Cumaratunga, who is also the Chairman of the Yuthukama civil society organisation told The Island that President Rajapaksa assured the government parliamentary group of his intention to do so before the enactment of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution last October.
The Parliament endorsed the 20th Amendment with an overwhelming two-thirds majority.
The 20th Amendment incorporated a key provision in the 19th that restricted both presidential and parliamentary terms to five years each.
A nine-member committee led by Romesh de Silva, PC, is in the process of formulating the new draft Constitution.
The grandson of Sinhala literary genius Munidasa Kumaratunga said that the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) led Opposition could quite rightly move a No-Confidence Motion (NCM) against the government if President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s administration failed to fulfill its mandate.
Responding to another query, Cumaratunga said that during his brief speech in Parliament on Monday (19), on the opening day of the two-day debate on the NCM moved against Energy Minister Attorney-at-law Udaya Gammanpila the issue was addressed.
Pointing out that the SJB lacked sufficient strength in Parliament to at least to challenge the government, MP Cumaratunga said that the SLPP received two strong mandates in Nov 2019 and Aug 2020 to introduce a new Constitution.
Referring to a relentless campaign undertaken by Yuthukama after the 2015 change of government, MP Cumaratunga emphasised that the government remained committed to introducing a new Constitution that guaranteed security of the State and equality in law. Lawmaker Cumaratunga said that the 1978 Constitution had been eroded by enactment of various amendments to appease those who had pursued agendas inimical to overall national interests.
The MP asserted that in spite of a delay in the new Constitution making process due to the eruption of Covid-19 epidemic the draft Constitution could be presented by Nov. Yuthukama leader expressed confidence in unveiling the draft Constitution at the completion of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s second year in office as the latter declared his intention to seek a second five-year term.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was responding to a query posed by Rupavahini Chairman Reginald Cooray, a former lawmaker who served as the Northern Province Governor during Maithripala Sirisena’s presidency.
Lawmaker Cumaratunga said that the SJB handed over its much-touted NCM against the Energy Minister to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, on June 15. However, the SJB as well as the Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, in a statement issued on June 12 questioned the rationale in moving a NCM against the Energy Minister over the increase in fuel prices as it was decision subjected to Cabinet approval.
MP Cumaratunga said that the two-day debate on NCM against the Energy Minister was nothing but an utter waste of time and resources. When attacked over the announcement that he made on June 12, Minister Gammanpila quite intrepidly set the record straight.
The Pivithuru Hela Urumaya leader had no qualms in pointing out that the decision to increase the prices of fuel was taken on June 09 at the Cost of Living Committee meeting, chaired by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and attended by several others, including Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. Noting that Premier, in his capacity as the Finance Minister authorised the fuel price hike in writing, MP Cumaratunga said that the issue at hand should never be the basis for NCM.
Lawmaker Cumaratunga said that the country faced a daunting challenge in meeting the growing oil bill. Referring to Sri Lanka’s efforts to develop oil wells and natural gas site off the northwest coast, MP Cumaratunga underscored the importance in bolstering renewable energy sources.
The Yuthukama Chief said that Minister Gammanpila had set an unprecedented example by taking the public into confidence by telling them the unpalatable truth. Paying a glowing tribute to the PHU leader for initiating a new political culture, MP Cumaratunga said that the public shouldn’t be deceived under any circumstances. The MP pointed out that at the onset of attacks on Minister Gammanpila, the Presidential Secretariat on June 13 confirmed the crisis caused by the CPC and the CEB being in debt to Bank of Ceylon and People’s Bank to the tune of Rs 737 bn.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, in his address to the nation, about 10 days later admitted the challenge in meeting annual loan payments amounting to USD 4 bn, lawmaker Cumaratunga said.
Yuthukama leader said that fuel price changes effected on June 12 remained unchanged though some speculated about downward revision. The MP said that Minister Gammanpila proved that whatever the criticism he wouldn’t change his stance to appease the crowds.
In the wake of SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam demanding Minister Gammanpila’s resignation on June 12, a group of lawmakers issued a statement backing the PHU leader. Minister Gammanpila’s resignation was demanded on the basis he acted contrary to the government by increasing fuel prices.
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
