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HRC Chief asks whether Speaker’s claim of external intervention is an issue of national importance
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Chairman of the Human Rights Commission, Justice L.T.B. Dehideniya yesterday (03) said that Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena’s recent disclosure of external intervention in Aragalaya could be inquired into only if he received a complaint about it.
The retired Supreme Court Justice said so when The Island asked him whether the Commission would take into consideration Speaker Abeywardena’s confirmation of external interventions in the public protest campaign that forced President Gotabaya Rajapaksa out of office in July 2022. Dehideniya said that they were confronted with the question whether HRC could furnish recommendations in respect of such external interventions. He stressed that the HRC examined violations committed by the government.
The HRC held a media briefing at the Sri Lanka Foundation to explain the work carried out by the institution. In addition to justice Dehideniya, Commissioners, Attorney-at-Law Nimal Punchihewa (Investigations), Prof. Thaiyamuthu Thanaraj (Education and Training), Prof. Fathima Haniffa (Research) and Dr. Gehan Gunatilleke (Foreign Relations) briefed the media as regards their respective sections.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe appointed the new HRC in early July last year.
Attorney-at-Law Nimal Punchihewa explained the investigations undertaken into incidents that occurred on May 09/10, 2022. Punchihewa, who previously served as the Chairman of the Elections Commission, said that he was also inquiring into the failure on the part of the police and the military to pre-empt organized attacks across the country.
The Island sought an explanation from Justice Dehideniya against the backdrop of Punchihewa’s account of the inquiries already under way. Declaring that investigations have been completed to a large extent, Punchihewa said that the process would take some more time as there were some individual cases. HRC launched investigations into Aragalaya during the previous HRC headed by former judge Rohini Marasinghe.
Having explained how HRC dealt with violations, Justice Dehideniya said that they could intervene without a complaint if the issue was of national importance, an issue with social responsibility or an issue that would decide life or death of a person/s. Justice Dehideniya asked whether the issue raised here was serious enough to warrant HRC’s intervention on its own.
The Island reiterated that the issue raised was of national interest as the Speaker said so in Parliament. Justice Dehideniya asked how could HRC intervened when the Speaker said his life was in danger when members of Parliament could freely expressed their opinion under parliamentary privileges.
Justice Dehideniya explained the HRC couldn’t do anything about Parliament discarding its recommendations pertaining to a Bill. The HRC Chairman said so in response to The Island query what could he do when Parliament ignored recommendations made in respect of the controversial Online Safety Bill. Once enacted even the Supreme Court couldn’t intervene, Justice Dehideniya said, pointing out that a case filed in the Supreme Court in this regard was dismissed.
Justice Dehideniya said that though they couldn’t intervene following the enactment of the Online Safety Act, the HRC informed Speaker Abeywardene that Supreme Court recommendations, pertaining to that particular Bill, were not included.
Towards the tail end of the briefing, Dr. Gehan Gunatilleke said that some of their recommendations were accommodated. Justice Dehideniya and Dr. Gunatilleke explained the difference in their mandate in dealing with the government and other parties.
In respect of HRC recommendations issued pertaining to a complaint that had been investigated, the parties to the dispute could be summoned and tangible action taken to ensure the implementation, Justice Dehideniya said. In case of disagreement regarding the implementation of recommendations, the HRC could bring the matter to the attention of the President, Justice Dehideniya added.
Justice Dehideniya assured that the HRC would stand by the media though it was their responsibility to operate within the law, thereby prevent government interventions.
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
