News
Govt. trapped in its own strategies – SJB
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) lawmaker Mujibur Rahman yesterday (17) questioned the rationale behind Public Security Minister Rear Admiral (Retd.) Sarath Weerasekera’s announcement of banning the burqa and niqab.
This outburst came amidst former UNP Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakse again, publicly this week, repeating the allegation that MP Rahman, too, was behind extremist Islamists.
Rahman said that the government owed an explanation regarding the handling of the issue at hand. “Have you ever heard of a Minister declaring to the media contents of a Cabinet paper before it is taken up?”, the former UNP MP asked.
Lawmaker Rahman said that the government should make its position clear on the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) report on 2019 Easter Sunday attacks clear.
As regards the P CoI recommendation pertaining to the banning of burqa and niqab, the Public Security Minister declared his decision to immediately implement it whereas Foreign Secretary Admiral (Retd.) Jayanath Colombage said the government was yet to take a decision with his eye on Geneva.
MP Rahman said that SLPP Chairman and Education Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris recent publicly declaring they had ly declared that the government would implement all P CoI recommendations except the banning of Bodu Bala Sena (BBS). Prof. Peiris’ utterance echoed Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, who publicly stated that they had no interest in banning any Buddhist organisation like the BBS.
The former Colombo District UNP MP Rahman asked whether Prof. Peiris was speaking on behalf of the SLPP or the government. The minister should explain how the controversial decision was made to ignore P CoI recommendations in respect of the BBS.
Rahman said that it was the prerogative of the Attorney General to take action on the basis of P CoI recommendations. The AG was not bound by those recommendations, the MP said, urging the government to address the post-Easter Sunday issues in a reasonable manner.
The Foreign Secretary’s response to Public Security Minister’s public declaration of burqa and niqab ban and the sudden meeting Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena had with Pakistan High Commissioner in Colombo Major General (Retd.) Muhammad Saad Khattak following latter’s warning over the issue at hand.
The SJB spokesman alleged the government was busy causing turmoil. The invitation extended to Myanmar to participate in the BIMSTEC regardless of the recent military takeover there exposed insensitively of the current administration to developments here and abroad.
MP Rahman said that the Indian High Commission issuing unprecedented contradictions in respect of cabinet spokesman’s declaration on the proposed West Container Terminal (WCT) as well as planned take-over of Trincomalee oil tank farm revealed an extremely dicey situation. The MP alleged that the government seemed to be in turmoil, unable to tackle issues. Referring to the Core Group on Sri Lanka pushing for a new resolution at the Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) next week, lawmaker Rahman said that the government obviously played politics with the issue believing it could be exploited domestically regardless of the consequences.
Rahman alleged that every sector was in turmoil due to rampant mismanagement though ‘Pohottuwa’ leaders conveniently blamed Covid-19. The electorate quite early realized the incumbent government’s weakness, the MP said, adding that the ugly truth couldn’t be hidden by futile propaganda exercise.
The MP challenged the government to make its position clear on much publicized slaughter of cattle. The government last September declared ban on cattle slaughter as it wanted to divert public attention. The ban was never meant to be, the MP alleged, pointing out the decision announced by the Prime Minister was never implemented. Perhaps someone felt that media blitz over proposed ban on burqa could divert attention from massive scam in slashing duty on imported sugar. Acknowledging the accusations directed at his former party the UNP over Treasury bond scams perpetrated in Feb 2015 and March 2016, lawmaker Rahman said that the Committee of Public Finance (COPF) chaired and dominated by the SLPP found fault with the alleged scam. Rahman challenged the government to release the report received by the COPF from the Finance Ministry.
Both Treasury bond scams and massive sugar duty scam should prompt political parties to take remedial measures or face the consequences, he warned.
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
