News
HRC responds to minister’s allegations, agrees to meet him
May 09 arson attacks:
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Chief Government Whip Prasanna Ranatunga has secured an appointment from Rohini Marasinghe, Chairperson, Human Rights Commission to discuss the progress in the ongoing investigation into the destruction of his residence and other properties in Gampaha in the wake of May 09, 2022 violence.
An aide to Urban Development and Housing Minister Ranatunga told The Island that the meeting would take place on April 24.
Asked to explain the delay in arranging a meeting in spite of Minister Ranatunga writing to Justice Marasinghe on March 16, the official said that the Gampaha District SLPP leader was overseas.
“The HRC offered to arrange a meeting on March 27, 28 or April 03 but the Minister couldn’t change previously made arrangements,” the aide said.
Justice Marasinghe on behalf of the HRC responded to Minister Ranatunga after the latter questioned what he called the lethargic attitude of the independent commission to his complaint and that of other members of parliament.
Lawmaker Ranatunga slammed the HRC for not giving him an opportunity to take up the issues at hand regardless of his repeated requests.
In a letter dated March 22, Justice Marasinghe while declaring her readiness to update him on the inquiry, has informed the minister of the status of the overall investigations into the destruction of properties of government politicians during May 9 and 10 violence. Justice Marasinghe has attributed the slow progress of investigations to 70 complaints received in this regard.
The police have been summoned by the HRC last week whereas the armed forces were scheduled to appear on April 06.
Political sources said that the government should explain the status of the overall investigations into the incidents. Asked to explain, sources said that law enforcement authorities owed an explanation regarding the incidents at Pangiriwatte, Mirihana on the night of March 31, 2022, where protesters set ablaze several police vehicles.
Then there were SLPP goon attacks on protesters outside Temple Trees and at Galle Face on the evening of May 09 last year followed by well-organised countrywide attacks against SLPP MPs soon after, sources said.
SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam, MP, said that the perpetrators should be dealt with regardless of their political affiliations. Altogether 76 houses belonging to MPs, including the then Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Kollupitiya residence were destroyed, the MP 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
