News
GL urges AG to ensure compliance with SC recommendations before Speaker certifies Online Safety Bill
… alleges 13 mandatory recommendations discarded
by Shamindra Ferdinando
Alleging that the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government hadn’t introduced the amendments proposed by the Supreme Court in respect of the Online Safety Bill, dissident SLPP National List MP Prof. G.L. Peiris yesterday (29) said that the certification of that Bill by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena should be subjected to sanction by Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam, PC.
Addressing the media at his Kirula road residence, former External Affairs Minister Prof. Peiris accused the government of discarding at the Committee Stage what he called 13 mandatory amendments proposed by the SC.
There hadn’t been a previous instance of a government acting in such a manner in the recent past, Prof. Peiris said, alleging that both the Constitution as well as the Standing Orders of the Parliament were brazenly violated.
Yesterday’s briefing was the first since Prof. Peiris recently switched his allegiance to the SJB.
Prof. Peiris stressed the responsibility on the part of the AG to ensure that the Bill passed by Parliament on 24 January included SC’s recommendations.
The former minister pointed out that the SC declared the Bill could be passed with a simple majority if the recommended amendments were included at the Committee Stage. While discarding the recommended amendments, the government altered the Bill further by granting authority to the executive to remove a person from the five-member Online Safety Commission, Prof. Peiris said.
Prof. Peiris added that the Opposition eagerly awaited the AG’s stand on the Online Safety Bill passed by Parliament. The Opposition lawmaker alleged that the relevant Sectoral Oversight Committee hadn’t been given an opportunity to peruse the Bill before the commencement of the two-day debate (January 23 and 24). Prof. Peiris said that the Opposition expected the AG to take remedial measures against the backdrop of SC declaration that the Bill could be passed with a simple majority if clauses 3, 5, 7, 9, 11,12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 36, 37, 42, 45 and 53 were amended. The SC determined that clause 56 should be passed by a special majority in Parliament.
At the end of the debate on the Second Reading of the Bill, Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella, MP, called for a division. Accordingly, 108 votes were cast in favour of the Bill and 62 votes were cast against it. Thus, the Second Reading of the Bill was passed by a majority of 46 votes.
Prof. Peiris said that several Opposition MPs asked for a vote on the Third Reading but Speaker Abeywardena ignored their call. The former Law Professor said that of the 57 clauses the SC found fault with over 30 therefore more than 50% of the Bill was contrary to the Constitution.
The government also thwarted another dissident SLPP member Chandima Weerakkody introducing an amendment. The Galle District MP called for a division bringing in an amendment to section 36 of the draft Bill. Accordingly, 51 votes were cast in favour of the amendment and 92 votes were cast against. Thus, the said amendment was defeated by a majority of 41 votes. The Third Reading of the Bill was then passed without a vote.
Prof. Peiris said that the threat posed by the Online Safety law should be examined taking into consideration the proposed Anti-Terrorism Bill and the Broadcasting Regulatory Commission Bill meant to suppress the Opposition. Alleging that the government was bent on crushing the Opposition in line with its overall political strategy, Prof. Peiris said that discriminatory laws were being introduced with an eye on the presidential polls expected to be held later this year.
The former Minister declared a future SJB-led government would annul the Online Safety law. Prof. Peiris said that a suitable new law would be introduced after taking into consideration the views of all stakeholders.
Prof. Peiris warned the government of dire consequences over enactment of laws against the wishes of the people as well as the international community.
Prof. Peiris pointed out that the issue at hand is Speaker Abeywardena’s continuing failure to represent the interests of the Parliament.
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
