News
GMOF applauds new anti-terror law, urges prez to tackle ‘TU terror’
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Amidst growing opposition to the proposed Anti-Terrorism Law that it could be used to suppress political dissent and trade unions, Dr. Rukshan Bellana, Deputy Director of the National Hospital yesterday (04) bravely declared that the government should enact the new law fast.
Speaking on behalf of the Government Medical Officers’ Forum (GMOF) Dr. Bellana said that the vast majority of the population wanted the government to deal with what he called trade union terror.
Dr. Bellana said that as the public sector trade union movement was on the rampage the government should enact new legislation to meet the challenge.
The medical administrator found fault with the government and all political parties represented in parliament for their pathetic failure to rein in trade unions’ law unto themselves behaviour. Whatever their differences over political, economic and security issues, they couldn’t allow the public sector to cause further debilitation.
Asked whether he also opposed the ongoing public sector trade union campaign against Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government’s new tax formula, Dr. Bellana said that it should be reversed. Declaring the new tax regime was unacceptable under any circumstances, Dr. Bellana said he opposed taking hapless people hostage in a bid to pressure the government.
Regardless of a massive mandate received by Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the last presidential election in Nov 2019 followed by SLPP’s landslide victory at the parliamentary poll in Aug 2020, the President failed to exploit the situation. Had the President paid attention to issues at hand, he could have realised the need to revamp the public sector and rein in trade unions, Dr. Bellana said.
The proposed anti-terrorism law was nothing but a dire necessity, Dr. Bellana said, adding that President Wickremesinghe should go ahead with it. The trade unionist urged Opposition political parties not to shed crocodile tears for trade unions and media but throw their weight behind the proposed legislation.
Recent reportage of trade union activity exposed their terrorist like strategies, therefore they shouldn’t expect any mercy from the government, Dr. Bellana said. Responding to another query, Dr. Bellana alleged that some trade union leaders and senior representatives lived in luxury. “Some of them are in the habit of taking as much as Rs 200,000 to arrange a transfer or someone to secure a lucrative appointment,” Dr. Bellana said.
“I’m not afraid to say that the health sector is one of the most corrupt here,” Bellana said, urging the public to be cautious of utterly corrupt elements masquerading as trade unionists.
Dr. Bellana said that unless President Wickremesinghe received the backing of the parliament to strengthen law enforcement, the country could plunge into chaos. Having been elected as the President last July to complete the remainder of Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s five-year term, the UNP leader had taken necessary measures to control those causing mayhem. The proposed introduction of anti-terrorism law seemed a step in the right direction, Dr. Bellana said, demanding that the Opposition stopped playing politics.
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
