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JVP Leader promises green revolution through a future NPP govt using country’s underutilised diplomatic service
By Sanath Nanayakkare
Leader of the National People’s Power (NPP or Jathika Jana Balavegaya) Anura Kumara Dissanayake has said a future NPP government will deploy Sri Lanka’s diplomatic service across the world – in an international marketing drive – to increase the market share of Sri Lanka’s unique agricultural products in the export market.
“Our diplomats don’t have much to do. They are not trying to topple governments in the host country, bring new governments into power there or handling power and energy plant deals or port deals with the host country. So, we will make a comprehensive marketing plan to promote Sri Lanka’s unique agricultural products across the word and get the diplomats involved in implementing it,” he said.
The JVP leader made these remarks addressing the Kandy District Convention of the NPP held at the Hindu Cultural Hall in Kandy last week.
While affirming his party would continue to embrace key democratic fundamentals going forward, he emphasised that they would rely on an economic model based on developing the rural economy and expanding export crops unique to each region.
Dissanayake said that Sri Lanka had the hottest pepper and best smelling cinnamon in the world and the potential of those products need to be maximised.
“Recently an academic presented me with a book, whose content showed the extent that we can develop Sri Lanka cinnamon as a value- added commodity. Our economic plan comprises ways to develop pepper, cinnamon, cardamom etc. unique to different regions of the country. We have plans to expand our tea product portfolio in the export market as well. There is scope for that. We need to create a great enthusiasm in the people to engage in the cultivation of these crops by connecting their main source of income to the lucrative export market. Today the farming community is not connected to the country’s main economy and its infrastructure. This valuable human resource is aloof from the economy. Although Suriyawewa has broader roads than Baseline Road in Colombo, children in those areas are selling mangoes on the roadside after school.
The farming community in the country is failing to make the most of the agricultural resources they have in their areas. We have a plan to utilise them and let the country and the people benefit from it.”
“Another key area is our IT products. Although the government has targeted foreign currency earnings of USD 5 billion from exporting IT products, it is still about USD 1.5- 2 billion. The world has a massive market share for software products, so we can go up to USD 15 in this industry. We will launch an education revolution to empower our youths to realise that earnings potential in the IT products export segment.”
Notably he said that Sri Lanka could not acquire a market share with industrial and technological products.
Citing an example, he said,” A Chinese phone manufacturer makes phones at the cost of USD 7 per unit and exports it at USD 6.5. He sells lower than the cost. Then the Chinese government pays him one USD for each phone exported, and so the manufacturer gains half a dollar profit from each unit. Can we compete in such a sphere? We can’t. Can we make Volkswagen cars here? We can’t. So our plan is to win the global market with the products unique to Sri Lanka. There are 14,000 grama niladhari divisions in the country. If we can produce one SME agri- entrepreneur in each division and if he/she can create 10-15 jobs that will amount to a huge number of jobs countrywide.”
“If we give it all we have got, we can pull the country out of the current economic crisis in 1 -2 years. If we continue to do so for 4- 5 years, we can stabilise the economy. If we exert ourselves in this endeavour for 7 -8 years, we can make the country a developed state in the world.” he said.
The NPP leader added that the NPP’s economic plan should effectively work as it would create a non-corruptible government with no privileged politicians in the political system, and said that all politicians would be made to descend to the ground from their balconies.
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
