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JVP takes govt. to task over high prices of essentials
By Saman Indrajith
The government is all mouth no trousers when it comes to controlling the prices of essential food items, says the JVP.
JVP Propaganda Secretary MP Vijitha Herath told the media at the party headquarters in Pelawatte yesterday said that traders would not bring down prices of goods just because the government ministers give voice cuts to TV channels, calling for price reductions. “They go to economic centres and markets and stand near vegetable stalls and give voice cuts to TV vowing that prices would be brought down. But the traders will not reduce the prices. The ministers also vow that they will arrest traders who sell above the stipulated prices but no such arrests have been made so far. This government is only big talk, but no action. The price of a kilo of rice is now at Rs 140 that is very much above the stipulated price. The government keeps issuing gazettes announcing price controls but no trader gives any consideration to those gazettes.”
He said that the process of economic collapse started prior to the advent of COVID-19 pandemic. “The government tries to take cover behind the pandemic, for its failure to manage the economy that is another indication of its failure. The collapse of the economy started long before the COVID-19. For example, the agriculture sector output dropped by 5.6 percent in the first quarter of 2020. The drop of the industrial sector output was 7.8 percent and the service sector contracted by 1.6 percent during the same time period. The country went to lockdowns after March 19. So, it shows that the first quarter of this year did not have the impact of the pandemic.
“Prices of essential commodities have reached unprecedented heights under this government within one year. The government has failed to control the prices and manage the economy. Those who came to parliament in bicycles demanding the then government to bring down fuel prices are now ruling the country but they did not bring down the prices at least by five cents”.
“I have the official price lists issued by the Central Bank on Nov 20, 2019 and Dec 23, 2020. In Nov 2019 price of a kilo of samba rice was at Rs 95, now it’s between Rs 132 and 140. This government issued at least five gazettes on rice prices alone for the past one year, but none has had any effect. Big onion price was Rs 147 a kilo now it’s Rs 160. Price of dry chillies was Rs 480 a kilo then now it’s Rs 550. A coconut was then Rs 58 now it’s higher than Rs 85. Lentil that the President promised in his address to the nation at Rs 65 a kilo was Rs 110 in Nov, 2019 and now it’s Rs 180. In that address to the nation there were promises to give canned fish at Rs 100 and big onion at Rs 150. It’s known now there are no such items for such prices. Finally the address to the nation became a big joke. Price of sprats a kilo was at Rs 600 now it’s Rs 850. Price of coconut oil has increased from Rs 320 to 480. Sugar price increased from Rs 100 to 135. These are the Central Bank figures that give an idea of the plight of the people after one year under this government. I do not bring the prices of vegetables to this but it’s a known fact that their prices too have increased to unknown heights. For the first time in history a gazette was issued on Sept 25, this year to control the prices of coconut. Nowhere one can find coconuts for that price now. The government has proven that it has lost control of prices in the market. It has failed miserably and people suffer as a consequence.”
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
