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Lankan survivor of 9/11 recounts disaster on 20th anniversary
Srinath Jinadasa, 79, an American citizen of Lankan descent who miraculously came out alive from the World Trade Center (WTC) in New York 20 years ago last week, was in the U.S. news as the media focused on the anniversary of the audacious terrorist strike on an iconic building using hijacked aircraft.
Jinadasa who worked for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey as a structural engineer said last week that the Authority among other things owned the WTC site and operated the PATH subway system between New York and New Jersey. He was recalled to work to help deal with issues relating to t operating PATH facilities other than the WTC line after unwinding at home for about a week after his ordeal.
“I did experience some anxiety for a while. I could not make myself go to the WTC site until after the victims remains were removed from there,” he said.
He also recounted tht his sister, Anoja Wijesekera, who worked for UNICEF in Kabul (Afghanistan), was evacuated the day following the WTC attack after so-called Northern Alliance launched an attack on that city.
“I think the U.S. had to bring justice to Al Qaeda and Bin Laden. However lots of politicians were using the attack to further their political ambitions, I think resulting in an over-reaction to the tragedy,” he said.
“The democracy proselytizers used the tragedy as an opportunity to promote regime change in the Middle East and beyond. Think of Afghanistan, Iraq, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Syria, Yemen, Ukraine etc. Politicians of all stripes from all over jumped in. Big mess!
“This I think turned on the Islamists – Islamic State , Iranians and who knows who else? The very sad attack only last week in France, last year in Sri Lanka. So many Islamist /Islamic State attacks all over the world – America, France , Britain, India, Indonesia, Russia, Middle East, etc, etc. I think this is what Osama was envisioning when he planned the 9/11 attack to provoke an over-reaction in the west and a resulting counter reaction from the Islamists. I think Osama succeeded well beyond all his expectations.”
Jinadasa, a son of the late H. Jinadasa Samarakkody, a member of the old Ceylon Civil Service, who retired as Secretary to the Treasury, said that at the time of his escape from the ???? floor, he waited for some time before he began his descent.
“I watered the (indoor plants) in my office and carried a wet towel when I walked down.” he said. I did not think the building will collapse but I did not factor the steel in the concrete melting in the very high temperatures generated.”
Srinath who has now retired to Florida said that in hindsight, he would say that the democracy/human rights proselytizers made use of the even to spread havoc in the Islamic world and further provoke the Jihadists. This was most likely what Osama wanted and succeeded in doing, he said.
“Furthermore it launched a huge, wasteful security industrial complex.”
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
