News
Govt. unable to purchase paddy for want of funds
Rohini asks why squander money on more ministers if basic needs cannot be met
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) yesterday (11) lambasted the government for failing to purchase paddy purportedly for want of funds.SJB lawmaker Rohini Kaviratne said that the SLPP-led President Ranil Wickremesinghe government should be ashamed of its failure especially against the backdrop of appointment of 37 State Ministers at the expense of taxpayers.The Matale District MP was responding to Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera’s recent disclosure he couldn’t purchase paddy for want of funds.
SLFPer Amaraweera said that the failure on the part of the Agriculture Ministry to obtain the required funding through two major state banks had jeopardized the planned purchasing of paddy stocks. The Minister said that his efforts to accelerate the process hadn’t been so far successful and the issue at hand would be taken up at a meeting, scheduled to be chaired by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who also holds the finance portfolio.
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sought an explanation from State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya regarding Minister Amaraweera’s complaint. The SLFPer promised to inquire into the issue at hand tomorrow. The newly appointed State Minister assured that he would be able to explain the status as regards the matter involving the state banks today (12).
Dudley Sirisena, one of the major paddy millers who had been critical of successive governments as well as the private sector over the paddy purchasing schemes declined to comment on Minister Amaraweera’s allegations.Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardena couldn’t be contacted over the phone for his comments on Minister Amaraweera’s complaint as regards the inordinate delay on the part of the state banks to release the required funding.
Private television stations over the past few days reported farmers being turned away at purchasing centers for want of funds.Lawmaker Kaviratne said that the government was begging countries for free rice while the local produce was not purchased. Alleging that the government failure would allow the private sector to further exploit the farmers, MP Kaviratne said, urging the Wickremesinghe administration to prioritize which needed immediate attention.
The public had been demanding a system change and seemed to have initially believed Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s ouster would automatically result in far reaching changes. “But, the SLPP as expected got a gang of State Ministers appointed. In terms of the constitution, the SLPP and President Wickremesinghe can appoint 12 more ministers and three more State Ministers,” MP Kaviratne said.
MP Kaviratne said that the country was in such a precarious situation that appointment of 30 Cabinet and 40 non-Cabinet ministers, close on the heels of staff-level agreement with the IMF on USD 2.9 bn loan facility, seemed a crime. Obviously, the government was blind to the developing crisis, MP Kaviratne said, pointing out the SLPP’s efforts to consolidate its position, both in and outside Parliament, in the wake of breaking up of the 145-member parliamentary group.
Responding to another query, MP Kaviratne said that the government was continuing a major crackdown on those who had been involved in the Gotagogama protest campaign as part of its overall strategy to suppress the Opposition. The government’s failure to purchase paddy should be examined against the backdrop of its failure to compensate for those who suffered serious crop losses for want of fertiliser and agro chemicals.
MP Kaviratne said that the Rajapaksa government paid USD 6.7 mn for a ship load of rejected Chinese carbonic fertiliser. In spite of corruption allegations pertaining to the Chinese deal, as well as liquid fertiliser from India, the government conveniently failed to investigate, MP Kaviratne said, adding that the people would soon launch street protests against the incumbent government.
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
