News
GL alleges Wijeyadasa’s move ruse to put off national polls
… dares SLPP to move court against rebel group
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Top Opposition spokesperson Prof. G.L. Peiris yesterday (16) dismissed Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe’s attempt to introduce a new system for electing MPs as a politically motivated project to sabotage national elections. Such an exercise couldn’t be justified under any circumstances at a time the Provincial Council and Local Government polls, too, had been put off indefinitely, he said
Prof. Peiris stressed that the government continued to disregard the specific Supreme Court directive given in early March to conduct Local Government polls, and he dared the SLPP to go to court against its dissident MPs in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling that endorsed the expulsion of rebel SLMC MP Nazeer Ahamed for switching allegiance to the government.
Prof. Peiris said that the SLPP would not under any circumstances seek a court order against them, having elected UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as the President at the vote in July last year at the expense of Dullas Alahapperuma, who was fielded by the SLPP.
He said so in response to a media query at the weekly media briefing conducted at the Nawala office of the Nidahasa Jathika Sabhawa. The SLPP rebel group consists of 12 MPs.
The SLPP leader Mahinda Rajapaksa is on record as having said in Parliament, shortly after the SLPP elected Wickremesinghe to complete the reminder of Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s five-year term, that he voted for SLPP candidate Dullas Alahapperuma. “We are prepared to present everything in court in case they resort to legal action,” Prof. Peiris said, declaring that whoever voted for Wickremesinghe had acted against the interests of the party. “They continue to do so,” Prof. Peiris said, asserting that the government’s efforts were geared to postponing elections, at all levels.
Prof. Peiris said that those at the helm of the SLPP should bear the responsibility for defeating their own man. Wickremesinghe received 134 votes against Alahapperuma receiving 82votes. “Let the court decide who resorted to treachery,” Prof. Peiris said, questioning the overt and covert moves made by the government to put off national elections indefinitely.
Having being elected to complete the remainder of his predecessor’s term, President Wickremesinghe was making a bid to hold onto Office, the SLPP National List MP said. The former minister alleged that the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa alliance was trying to postpone elections in the guise of introducing far reaching constitutional reforms.
Prof. Peiris stressed that Environment Minister Ahamed’s case had absolutely no relevance as the Supreme Court found fault with him for voting with 2022 Budget vote, contrary to a decision taken by the party.
Commenting on the simultaneous abolition of executive presidency and announcement of early general elections, Prof. Peiris said that such an exercise couldn’t be undertaken in a hurry. The former Law Professor emphasized that the abolition of executive presidency should be included in a brand new Constitution. The lawmaker explained that the executive is related to subjects, ranging from independent commissions to appointment of Governors of Provinces. Hence the responsibility of introducing a new Constitution should be left for the next government, Prof. Peiris said, calling for a consensus on early parliamentary elections.
The ex-Minister declared that the Opposition is of the view that early general election could lead to the formation of a government to undertake a holistic examination of constitutional needs to address current challenges.
Prof. Peiris said that the President’s decision to grant another three-week extension to IGP C.D. Wickremaratne couldn’t be justified. Pointing out that Wickremaratne had been given two three-month long extensions since March this year, Prof. Peiris pointed out, declaring this decision was contrary to the position taken by the Constitutional Council.
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
