News
GL: ‘Aswesuma’ flawed, fresh scheme needed
frowns on privileged status to wealthy investors, bid to restore dissolved LG bodies
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Top Opposition Spokesman Prof. G. L. Peiris yesterday (02) demanded that the government cancel, what he called, the deeply flawed ‘Aswesuma’ social security project, to pave the way for a fresh scheme. Addressing the media at the Nawala Office of the breakaway SLPP faction, Nidahasa Janatha Sabhawa, the former External Affairs Minister dealt with the passage of the resolution on the ‘Domestic Debt Optimisation’ (DDO) in Parliament, the previous day, a move to amend three Acts in order to give the subject Minister (Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena) powers to restore dissolved local government authorities and ‘Aswesuma’
that caused countrywide turmoil.
Pointing out that several SLPP members had skipped Saturday’s vote on the resolution on DDO, National List lawmaker emphasized that the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government unfairly burdened the Employees Trust Fund (EPF). Having repeatedly assured that the EPF with funds amounting to Rs 3 trillion wouldn’t be undermined in the DDO process, the government had targeted the country’s largest fund, Prof. Peiris said. That was nothing but a cruel attack on those struggling to make ends meet, the academic said.
The resolution received 122 votes while 62 voted against. Forty-two MPs abstained.However, the government conveniently left out wealthy investors who had no hesitation in taking advantage of the country’s predicament, the former minister said.
After Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe declared bankruptcy in April 2022, wealthy financiers had invested in sovereign bonds at extortionate rates of interest. “Their motive was to make use of the perilous state of our economy to make a killing. They sought unconscionable profits in as short a time as possible. While the rates payable to these wealthy investors are left untouched, interest to be earned by the working people who are beneficiaries of the EPF has been reduced by the rate of income tax payable by the EPF being increased from 14 pc to 30 percent if fund declined to participate in the seriously flawed DDO exercise,” Prof. Peiris said.
The people should realise that the EPF’s participation was therefore not voluntary but enforced Prof. Peiris said. Therefore, the government strategy is not consistent with social equity, the dissident SLPPer said.
Prof. Peiris said the DDO process had been placed under the control of Finance Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.Commenting on the raging controversy over the ‘Aswesuma’ programme, Prof. Peiris said that disruption that had been caused by ill-advised government was so much, the project couldn’t be repaired under any circumstances. There couldn’t be any other option than cancelling the announced list of beneficiaries and launching a fresh initiative as soon as possible to identify those who really required government assistance.
Pointing out that there had been well over half a mn public appeals and complaints in this regard, Prof. Peiris asked the government not to shift the blame to officials but to accept responsibility and initiate what he called a scientific examination of the poor with required technical expertise.
Those who planned to replace ‘Samurdhi’ with ‘Aswesuma’ ended up with egg on their face for want of a cohesive plan to identify the needy. The ex-minister dismissed a recent government declaration that remedial measures would be taken once appeals and complaints were received by July 10 as propaganda. “The system is so inconsistent with requirements, it cannot be salvaged by patchwork,” the MP said.
The senior politician said that the SLPP should be ashamed that one of its National List MPs, Jayantha Kategoda proposed to empower the Minister of Local Government to restore dissolved Local Government authorities. Declaring SLPP rebels’ intention to challenge the government move in the Supreme Court, Prof. Peiris said that the ruling SLPP and UNP with just one MP in parliament were trying to skip elections at all levels.
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
