News
GR’s ouster: PNM reiterates accusations against US
‘Prez exploited Wimal’s claim to his advantage’
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Patriotic National Movement (PNM) Secretary Dr. Wasantha Bandara said on Tuesday (04) that Sena Thoradeniya’s ‘Galle Face Protest: System Change or Anarchy?’, reiterated accusations pertaining to the alleged high profile US role in an operation that ousted President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in July 2022.
Dr. Bandara said that Thoradeniya’s work was meant to strengthen National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa’s ‘Nine; The Hidden Story’ that dealt with apparent India backed US effort meant to replace Gotabaya Rajapaksa with Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.
Instead, they ended up having Ranil Wickremesinghe as the President, Weerawansa alleged.
Referring to US Ambassador Julie Chung’s swift denial of MP Weerawansa’s shocking allegations, the PNM Secretary said that the Ambassador would find it difficult to challenge the latest publication as the award-winning writer addressed the issues at hand authoritatively.
Dr. Bandara said so at the launch of Thoradeniya’s latest book, at the National Public and Documentation Services Board on Independence Avenue in the presence of Ven. Dr. Madagoda Abeytissa Thera. Among those present were Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekera, Constitutional Council member Dr. Anula Wijewardena and dissident SLPP MP Prof. Channa Jayasumana.
Dr. Bandara said that the two books should be taken together and examined to ascertain how US had exploited a deepening economic crisis to oust a popularly elected President. This would be of pivotal importance in view of the impending challenges, Dr. Bandara said, pointing out that President Wickremesinghe was in the process of implementing the US agenda.
Referring to the recent declaration by President Wickremesinghe in the UK, that he had been under pressure to quit the premiership in a bid to deprive him of the presidency, in case President Gotabaya Rajapaksa resigned, Dr. Bandara said the UNP leader was trying to exploit MP Weerawansa’s claim. The President wanted to deceive the public that the US and India wanted to block him and pave the way for the Speaker, Dr. Bandara said. The PNM leader said that Speaker Abeywardena had never contradicted MP. Weerawansa’s claim pertaining to US Ambassador Chung making the daring request at his official residence after making an unannounced visit.
“Their original plan was to eliminate the President and set up a Presidential Council, under the Chairmanship of Speaker Abeywardena. However, that move went awry and they implemented plan B. The UNP leader became the President in line with plan B,” Dr. Bandara said.
Dr. Bandara said that the UNP leader was likely to contest the next presidential election. The country would definitely face a catastrophe if the incumbent President won the next presidential poll scheduled for later next year, Dr. Bandara said.
Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekera said that the destabilisation of Sri Lanka by way of unprecedented economic-political-social crisis had been intended to facilitate a US intervention. Although President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had refused to implement the MCC project, the US project was on track, Dr. Amarasekera said.
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
