News
Govt. under pressure to introduce new Constitution before holding PC polls
SLPP PC Forum Members seeking divine intervention at Kataragama
for conducting of early polls (Borella police have pic courtesy SLPP)
SLPP PC members claim party wants early elections, but some monks disagree
By Shamindra Ferdinando
A group of Buddhist monks has appealed to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and members of Parliament, representing all political parties, to put on hold Provincial Council polls, pending early enactment of the proposed new Constitution.
The group has, in a two-page letter dated March 29, 2021, stressed that the Provincial Council polls should be conducted in terms of the new Constitution as much desired changes were likely to be introduced in respect of the electoral system, as well as devolution of powers.
The signatories were Ven. Omare Kassapa, Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda, Ven Bengamuwe Nalaka, Ven. Kirama Vimalajothi, Prof Ven Ithhademaliye Indrasara, Prof. Ven Madagoda Abayatissa, Prof. Malwane Chandrarathana, Ven Hegoda Vipassi, Ven. Valimitiyawe Gnanaratne and Prof. Ven Kapugollawa Ananda.
A nine-member team of experts led by eminent lawyer Romesh de Silva, PC, is engaged in formulating a new draft Constitution.
Referring to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s directive to conduct Provincial Council polls as early as possible, the monks said that they believed the declaration was made in the run-up to a high profile vote on an ‘accountability resolution’ on March 23. Asserting the presidential statement was meant to influence India to vote against the resolution moved by Western powers and their cronies, the monks pointed out India not only skipped the vote but demanded Provincial Council polls and full implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.
The group questioned the rationale in India raising purely a domestic matter at the Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Therefore, Sri Lanka shouldn’t succumb to unwarranted pressure in that regard, the group said, urging President Gotabaya Rajapaksa not to disappoint those who exercised their franchise in support of him at the 2019 presidential election and the 2020 general election.
The group also warned of unnecessary complications in amending the relevant laws-enactment of new Provincial Council Act or an amendment to pave the way for Provincial Councils polls under the discarded previous PR system.
The monks also expressed serious concerns over allocation of funds for Provincial Council elections deemed a while elephant by vast majority of people at a time the country was experiencing dire financial crisis.
The monks declared their strong objections to proposed Provincial Council polls in the wake of Sri Lanka Podujana Provincial Council Members’ Forum demanded tangible measures are taken without further delay to conduct the polls. The forum declared that it wouldn’t mind having the Provincial Council polls under whatever system. Blaming the previous UNP-led administration for indefinitely postponing Provincial Council polls, Chairman of the grouping Kanchana Jayaratne said that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and SLPP founder Basil Rajapaksa recently called for Provincial Councils. Therefore, there was no justification in further delaying the elections, Jayaratne said, pointing out that the Provincial Council system was functioning without the presence of people’s representatives.
Referring to Janaka Bandara Tennakoon responsible for Provincial Council portfolio submitting the same cabinet paper in respect of Provincial Council polls, Jayaratne urged the cabinet of ministers to decide on the matter. Jayaratne alleged that some of the constituent members of the SLPP at the forefront of the struggle against the then government were strangely silent today.
The Forum requested Ministers Dinesh Gunawardena, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Wimal Weerawansa and Udaya Gammanpila to take a clear stand on this matter. Jayaratne said that they shouldn’t allow the cabinet to quietly sideline Minister Tennakoon’s cabinet paper.
Jayaratne insisted that those who respected democracy couldn’t condone efforts to sabotage Provincial Council system.
Jayaratne also urged Public Security Minister Rear Admiral (retd.)Sarath Weerasekera, who had been strongly opposed to Provincial Councils system to change his thinking in line with present requirements. Jayaratne requested Minister Weerasekera to throw his weight behind their efforts to fully restore the Provincial Councils. Noting that Minister Weerasekera had issued controversial statements in that regard, Jayaratne called upon the former Navy Chief of Staff to give up opposition to a system that could be immensely beneficial to the public.
The forum stressed that it would be the responsibility of the cabinet to take tangible measures to hold Provincial Council polls as the Rajapaksas had acknowledged the need and assured the elections would be conducted.
The Provincial Council system was introduced in terms of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution enacted in the wake of the Indo-Lanka accord meant to disarm terrorist groups once trained, armed and deployed by India.
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
