News
Indian FDI: Galle Face protesters move against Modi-backed Adani project in SL
by Shamindra Ferdinando
A group of protesters on Thursday (16) demonstrated outside the entrance to the Indian High Commission, demanding cancellation of the proposed Adani Green Energy investment in the 500 MW wind and solar power generation in Mannar and Pooneryn.The demonstration, organised by those who had been engaged in the Galle Face campaign, demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, was the first public protest against India in Colombo, since India called off its military mission here in March 1990.
A spokesperson for the Front line Socialist Party (FSP) said that a group comprising civil society activists, lawyers, artistes and University students participated in the protest. The same group protested opposite the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) head office, in Fort, before marching to the Indian High Commission, on the Galle Road. Galle Face protesters called for a campaign against high profile Adani group investment in the wake of simmering controversy over President Gotabaya Rajapaksa interfering on behalf of Adani group as alleged by the then CEB Chairman M.M.C.Ferdinando. The official subsequently resigned after retracting accusations directed at the President.
There had been a heated exchange of words between protesters and law enforcement personnel deployed outside the Indian diplomatic mission before the crowed dispersed. The FSP spokesperson emphasized that they would continue protests demanding transparency and accountability on the part of the government and the investors as well.Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena last Wednesday (15) signed into law the Electricity (Amendment) Bill of Sri Lanka to amend the Sri Lanka Electricity Act No 20 of 2009. The Opposition alleged in Parliament that the government amended the relevant Act to facilitate the Adani investment. The Indian Opposition, too, reiterated accusations as regards the Indian Premier’s controversial relationship with Gautham Adani, the investor in the proposed wind and solar project.
According to a letter, dated Nov 25, 2021, addressed to the then Secretary Finance S.R. Attygalle, Ferdinando claimed that he received instructions from President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa, separately, to the initiate required process to launch the Adani project. The plan was to be implemented on the basis of a government to government project taking into consideration the understanding between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on the issue at hand, Ferdinando has told the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) during June 10 proceedings.
COPE Chairman Prof. Charitha Herath said that his committee would meet on Tuesday (21) to discuss Ferdinando’s retraction of part of his statement at the June 10 meet. Responding to The Island queries, Prof. Herath said that the committee would decide whether to call the former CEB Chairman, separatel, to clarify the issues at hand or invite him, along with the current top management of the state enterprise.
The SLPP National List MP said following deliberations, the COPE would assert its position on the proposed wind and solar power project in the North. The MP noted that the then CEB Chairman, having received instructions from both the President and the Prime Minister in this regard, had conveniently passed the responsibility to the Finance Ministry and the Board of Investment (BoI). The COPE Chairman was commenting on Ferdinando’s letter to Attygalle.Prof. Herath said that it was quite a problematic issue especially at a time the country was experiencing severe economic difficulties due to the pestering forex issue.
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
