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GMOA, FUTA asked why they oppose new tax regime after calling for IMF assistance
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Political commentator Chaapa Bandara recently alleged that having facilitated IMF’s latest intervention here, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) was protesting against the new tax formula introduced at the behest of the Washington headquartered lending agency.
Bandara pointed out that the GMOA couldn’t absolve itself of the responsibility for creating an environment conducive for such intervention.The civil society activist said so in response to Dr. Chandika Epitakaduwa on behalf of the GMOA strongly challenging repeated criticism directed at the GMOA over the ongoing dispute over the new tax regime. Dr. Epitakaduwa, a member of the Independent Commission inquiring into President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s ouster last year, asked Bandara to retract his criticism of the GMOA.
Dr. Epitakaduwa admitted that a maximum of 10 percent of the GMOA membership supported the protest campaign whereas the vast majority the remained silent. The Commission member justified GMOA’s protest against the new tax regime.Bandara hit back hard demanding to know why the GMOA and the Federation of University Teachers’ Association (FUTA) protested the new tax formula having created an environment conducive for the IMF’s intervention.
Alleging that the former GMOA head Dr. Anuruddha Padeniya, too, had been responsible for the current crisis, Bandara asked why the GMOA membership failed to teach their former boss a lesson.Declaring that Dr. Padeniya couldn’t walk freely on the streets, Bandara warned the same fate would befall Dr. Haritha Aluthge, who now spearheaded the GMOA.
The GMOA was also answerable to the developing crisis, Bandara said, alleging the outfit facilitated the destabilization project by crippling government hospitals.Bandara also questioned Commission member and President’s Counsel U.R. de Silva’s appearance on a television programme alongside attorney-at-law Hejaaz Hizbullah, a suspect in the 2019 Easter Sunday carnage.
The lawyer arrested in terms of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in April 2020 received bail in Feb 2022. Bandara asked how the former President of the Bar Association could appear on television with such a suspect while acknowledging that it was a complicated matter.Responding to a query posed by a member of the Commission, Bandara expressed concern over the nexus between the Bar Association and the US. Bandara drew the attention of the Commission to US Ambassador here Julie Chung’s recent address to 2023 National Law Conference organised by the Bar Association highlighted the growing challenges.
Bandara said that in addition to the Bar Association, the Human Rights Commission as well as a section of law enforcement authorities at different levels contributed to the breakdown of law and order at the onset of the protest campaign against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Bandara questioned the conduct of retired Justice Rohini Marasinghe, Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission who interfered with measures taken by the government to neutralize the threat.
Recalling how a policeman attached to the Kuttigala police joined the Galle Face protest, Bandara explained the high profile project to weaken the Rajapaksa government. Bandara repeatedly questioned the Bar Association’s role in the overthrowing of an elected President and pursuing an agenda harmful to the country.At one point, Bandara asked whether Ambassador Chung was the Bar Association’s mastermind. He also found fault with the Maha Nayake theras for failing to intervene as criminal elements consolidated their position.
Bandara asked members of the Commission whether they had heard of an instance where those protesting against incumbent dispensation were provided with toilets. How law enforcement authorities tolerate those who openly challenged and defied their authority, Bandara asked, warning the Commission what the country experienced was definitely not a normal public protest.
Commenting on countrywide violence in the wake of Temple Trees unleashing goons on Galle Face protesters on May 09, 2022, Bandara said that by then well organized gangs were in position across the country to mount mayhem against government politicians at an unprecedented scale that quickly overwhelmed the Rajapaksa government. He asked whether the Temple Trees attack had been carried out to trigger counter attacks.
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
