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Hakeem alleges PTA used against political opponents … raises arrest of lawyer over Easter Sunday carnage with visiting EU team
‘The government is a failure’
Leader of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, Rauff Hakeem, MP, expressed serious concerns over continuing human rights violations when he received a six-member European Union (EU) delegation here to review the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), at Darusalaam, on Tuesday (28).
The former Minister alleged that minority Muslims were being targeted and that the government brazenly used the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) to hunt down opposition parties and those who fight for democracy and human rights. SLMC Chief Hakeem and his Party Secretary, Nizam Kariapper, PC highlighted what they called were the worst kinds of human rights violations were occurring in the country in recent times.
The EU delegation, comprising Nikolaos Zaimis, Senior Adviser on Trade and Sustainable Development, Ionnis Giogkarakis-Argyropoulos, Head of Division South Asia, European External Action Service (EEAS), Guido Dolara, Coordinator GSP Trade Preferences, Lluis Prats – Head of Unit, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, European Commission, and Monika Bylaite, Desk Officer for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, EEAS, met MP Hakeem and Kariapper.
The EU delegation inquired about the SLMC’s views on the current situation in the country. The EU’s query prompted the SLMC representatives to declare that the PTA was being used as a tool for harassment of certain people and communities.
They recalled the detention of lawyer and public litigation activist Hejaaz Hizbullah. “He is detained for nearly a year and a half. He is the only lawyer who has been detained under the PTA”. The MP reiterated to the EU delegation that the lawyer’s unwarranted detention has been mentioned in the EU Parliament’s resolution that was adopted in June 2021.
MP Hakeem said that the lawyer could be released on bail and the case could continue in court, but the government had determined to keep him under the PTA and use his detention for its political goals.
Similarly, several young people, the elderly and women have been detained without any charges, the MP said.
The police have detained Hizbullah over his alleged links with those involved with 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.
The former Minister also highlighted the controversy over Muslim religious matters, especially the amendments to be made to the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA), and said it was fully resolved by the community. Nevertheless, beyond that, the government has been overstepping and intervening in these affairs. “We made it very clear that this government needs to make some changes in its efforts to intervene without the need for a separate legal process for Muslims”, he added.
“We also should discuss the matter with the Minister of Justice. We have also made it very clear to the EU that these should not be allowed to become an issue in which the government unnecessarily deprives minorities of their rights. At the same time, we have also told the EU delegation that we are keen on and agree with all the provisions for the full granting of Muslim women’s rights”.
In addition, to the Muslim-related issues, the MP has stressed that the current government’s emergency legislation should be lifted. He noted that the emergency law had been used to curtail freedom of expression, demonstrations, and anti-government activities in the country.
The SLMC Leader said the government had not taken measures to curb the actions of the Buddhist monks who were spreading hate speech when the people were facing a crisis situation in the country.
“Our intention is not to halt the GSP Plus benefits for Sri Lanka, but we know it depends on the way the government extends its support to contain the ongoing human rights abuses in the country. We have expressed that we are not satisfied with the government and that the government is a failure”, he added.
“It’s not satisfactory as the Opposition and those who are concerned about human rights and therefore we have urged the EU to take the necessary steps to get the Government on the right track by taking alternative measures.
He also said the government should explicitly show that it is refraining from backing the Buddhist monks. “Besides, there should be punishment for inciting and acting on hate speech, but we don’t want to see that happen. It is the pro-government media that gives the opportunity for them to use the platform and the government should take measures to stop them”.
At the same time, these monks who were speaking out on behalf of state intelligence and the upper echelons of government, leave a strong suspicion that the government was behind the move. The government needed to act with transparency, he said.
The MP also condemned the series of gazette notifications that had been released by the government. They had no meaning as they did not control the prices of commodities. “The government is a failure”, he 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
