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Karu: Govt. unable to solve burning issues affecting country
Chairman of the National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) and former Speaker of Parliament, Karu Jayasuriya, has said that the catastrophic situation in the country, its rulers and the people were quences.
Addressing the NMSJ’s Kurunegala District Convention yesterday Jayasuriya said that the country was on the brink of disaster on many fronts, and the NMSJ did not intend to incite anti-government sentiments.
“Instead, our only objective is to foster national, religious and political unity in Sri Lanka and to save the country and its people from the great calamity we are facing today. It must be emphasised that the country will not be able to recover unless there is national unity and assure a consensus on national policies. The disastrous economic downturn and the spread of the Omicron variant have invariably become a threat to the lives of Sri Lankan people,” he said.
Given below are excerpts of the speech he gave at Kurunegala: “However, the National Movement for Social Justice is deeply disturbed by this situation. This is because, despite the catastrophic situation in the country, the country’s rulers and the people are yet to understand its many dire consequences.
“The North-Western Province is home to quite a significant Muslim and Tamil community. While they continue to live in harmony, however, we have observed attempts being made to spread hatred and disunity among these communities through various political influences.
“But it must be noted that the country is being severely harmed by these narrow objectives. The Easter Sunday attack has also deeply hurt the Catholic, Christian and Buddhist communities in Sri Lanka. This is an issue that needs to be addressed immediately. Even the judiciary has instructed the police to act impartially and complete investigations expeditiously. If such issues are publicised internationally, it will be very detrimental to the reputation of our country and the people.
“Today, we have chosen the North Western Province to present it as an example due to the exemplary unity displayed in the region. The people of the North-Western province are peaceful and intelligent. National and religious unity, as well as a national consensus, are essential for resolving the problems of the country. For this, we must cast aside all party affiliations and divisions. We must all band together to control this situation.
“Shortage of foreign currency, diesel, food items, LP gas, and milk powder are burning issues that must be addressed immediately. It also must be noted that if the country is forced to implement a restriction of electricity it will severely affect the daily lives of the people. It will also cause serious issues in the sectors of healthcare, water supply, manufacturing and national security.
“However, the government is yet to present a firm and lasting resolution to resolve these issues. Neither has a discussion been held between the government and the parties of the opposition. Instead of the petty debates between ministers, the government and the Finance Minister should take the lead in this instance. Resolving any issue after it has already occurred is no easy feat. This is the reality.
“The country needs a Constitution that is able to foster national unity. Every community must be able to live with respect and dignity. Therefore, I urge the President to keep his promise and not further delay the unveiling of a new Constitution, formulated with the agreement of the country’s people and esteemed Parliament.
“We must also once again earn the respect of the world as a country that safeguards democracy. We must earn the trust of investors. The 20th Amendment to the Constitution caused great damage and destruction to the country’s democracy, its principles and institutions. This must be rectified. Finally, we urge all of you who are present today to not allow for racial, religious or any other conflict to raise its ugly head once again in Sri Lanka!”
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
