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Lanka and India in ‘meeting of minds’ over security
Leaders of India and Sri Lanka were on the same page over regional security following President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s latest visit to New Delhi, an official source said amid fears of China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean region,
Wickremesinghe addressed India’s security concerns over China’s increasing footprint in Sri Lanka and vowed to fast track connectivity between the two Indian Ocean neighbours, the source said.
“The president reiterated his broad assurance that Sri Lankan territory will not be used against India,” the source said. “There is a meeting of the minds on security.”
Wickremesinghe had a one-on-one luncheon meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the last day of his visit, but official sources indicated that they had taken head on the question of Chinese presence.
According to a transcript of Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra’s press conference soon after the visit, the top Indian diplomat fielded questions about China’s submarine visits to Colombo in 2014 and another port call by a vessel India consider a spy ship in August last year.
“Sri Lankan side did convey to us their sensitivity and respect for our security and strategic sensitive concerns relating to what happens in our maritime domain,” Kawtra said.
“Our challenges that we face in maritime domain are in many ways shared challenges and both sides will continue to monitor developments, naturally closely consult on issues that have a bearing on the security of both countries and particularly India’s security and concerns of India’s security and sensitivity.”
New Delhi raised concerns when the Chinese vessel, Yuan Wang 5, sought permission to dock at Hambantota in August. The port call by what China calls a “scientific research” vessel went ahead. Sri Lanka responded by asking China not to carry out any “scientific research” while in Sri Lankan waters.
In a clear move to reassure New Delhi, the Sri Lankan government announced on July 18, two days before Wickremesinghe’s visit, a new “standard operating procedure” for future port calls by foreign research vessels and military craft. The government did not give details.
Wickremesinghe had addressed India’s fears about Beijing’s intentions in June too during a visit to France, dismissing speculation about Chinese military bases in Sri Lanka.
“No, we have no military agreements with China,” he told the France24 TV network. “There won’t be any military agreements. I don’t think China enters into one.
“We are a neutral country, but we also emphasize on the fact that we cannot allow Sri Lanka to be used as a base for any threats against India.”
During his talks in Delhi, Wickremesinghe pledged to speed up the ferry service between Nagapattinam in India and Kankesanthurai, in northern Sri Lanka and hopefully start a regular service by November.
The two sides also want to increase the frequencies and airports between the two countries while there is also increased cooperation in the energy sector. An electricity grid connection and a petroleum pipe are being studied.
On Sri Lanka’s ethnic conflict, New Delhi reiterated its call for a political solution that meets the aspirations of the minority community, the official said.
“…India continues to look forward to a political solution that addresses the aspirations of the Tamil community, of course aspirations for equality, justice and self-respect within the framework of united and prosperous Sri Lanka,” Kwatra said.
Prime Minister also clearly expressed India’s belief that a “meaningful devolution of powers and the full implementation of the 13th amendment (to the Sri Lankan constitution) are essential components of addressing and facilitating the reconciliation process in Sri Lanka.”
“This has been our consistent position, and this was put forward during the meeting between the two Leaders,” he added.
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
