News
India comes to Lanka’s rescue as farmers’ protests intensify
China carbonic fertiliser matter not resolved yet
By Shamindra Ferdinando
India has come to the rescue of Sri Lanka by airlifting 100,000 kg of liquid nano nitrogen for urgent distribution among farmers protesting against the government’s failure to provide required fertilizer and agro-chemicals.
Two Indian Air Force Globemasters arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in perhaps one of the largest if not the biggest single airlift carried out by a foreign air force here.
The Sri Lankan Airlines airlifted the first consignment on Oct 21. In spite of original plans to bring 500,000 litres of liquid nano nitrogen within a week, it didn’t materialize.
The Indian High Commission spokesperson said that the deployment was essentially in support of Sri Lanka’s initiative towards organic farming and to expedite availability of nano nitrogen fertiliser to the farming community.
“The quick deployment of IAF aircraft and expeditious disembarkation overnight was indicative of close coordination between the IAF and the SLAF,” the spokesperson said.
The second consignment arrived in the country amidst an ongoing inquiry into the controversial circumstances in the payment made by Sri Lanka for liquid nano nitrogen procured from IFFCO via their local agent United Farmers Trust Ltd on Oct 18. Following accusations made by the JVP in Parliament, Presidential Secretary Dr. P. B. Jayasundera requested the CID to conduct an inquiry into the payment made by the People’s Bank on behalf of Sri Lanka.
The Indian HC recalled how Indian Naval Ship Sarvekshak had undertaken a survey operation off Colombo in June- July 2021 for ensuring safety of navigation after incident onboard MV XPress Pearl. Separately, INS Shakti was deployed for providing 100 tonnes of Liquid Medical Oxygen during the fourth wave of Covid pandemic.
“The Government of India has continued to support Sri Lanka in times of critical requirement as part of its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and has repeatedly demonstrated its capacity and role as the ‘First Responder’ in the region.”
However, Sri Lanka and China hadn’t been able to resolve the crisis over the former rejecting 20,000 metric tonnes of carbonic fertilizer following adverse test report by the national quarantine services. Sources said that the issue had put on hold the move to procure 99,000 metric tonnes of carbonic fertiliser from China.
Samagi Jana Balavegaya lawmaker Rohini Kaviratne pointed out that though the Maha season was underway the farmers were yet to receive promised fertiliser. Government politicians wouldn’t be able to visit the farming regions, MP Kaviratne said, adding that idiotic government had ruined the maha season. The MP said that the Chinese action against the People’s Bank over the Commercial High Court of Colombo stopping payments was an extremely serious matter. The government seemed unable to comprehend the situation; she said adding that the country would face a sharp drop in the Maha yield.
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
