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Law students raise concerns over resuming exams amidst unresolved issues
The Law Students’ Union has raised concerns against the decision by the administration of Sri Lanka Law College to resume examinations without paying attention to a number of issues detrimental to students.
The LSU in a letter addressed to the Principal of the Law College, Shehan C. Perera, points out that holding examinations while inter provincial travel restrictions were in place would leave out large number of students from other provinces since no public transport was allowed and they would have no way to come to the examination centres in Colombo. In addition the administration has not yet explained what redress would be provided to the students who are unable to attend examinations due to contracting Covid-19 or those referred for self-quarantine at their homes. In case an area was isolated or locked down the student candidates would have no means to attend the examination.
Full text of the letter signed by LSU President Samadhi Gamalath and Secretary Vimukthi Karunaratne: “The Law Students’ Union of Sri Lanka (LSU) would like to reiterate certain concerns that have been already pointed out in our previous correspondences, pertaining to the decision made by the Incorporated Council of Legal Education to resume the Attorneys-at-Law Intermediate and Final examinations which were postponed due to the outbreak of the third wave of Covid-19.
“In the letter dated 10.06.2021, we emphasised the importance of having necessary arrangements for all the segments of students that would emerge at the time of resumption of the examinations. We mentioned these concerns on numerous previous occasions. The following is an excerpt from our letter dated 10.06.2021:
“It is of utmost importance to provide such arrangements, given the prevailing circumstances, for a couple of reasons:
1. Students shouldn’t be discriminated or penalised for no fault of their own, during this pandemic, by not allowing them to sit for examinations because of their health conditions. However, as we have suggested, if it is impossible or impracticable, we state that these students should be allowed to take only the subjects that they miss, in the subsequent examination sitting.
2. Students fear that if this issue is not addressed, it is probable that certain students would come to the examination centre and do the exam regardless of their health conditions, which would ultimately expose the lives of all the other candidates and invigilators to risk and danger.
“We believe that this concern has to be redressed to ensure that the examinations are held in a just and fair manner for all students. Moreover, we believe that every possible risk and threat to the health and safety of students must be eliminated.
“Furthermore, we would like to mention that our letter dated 25.06.2021 had a comprehensive discussion on the atrocities the students may have to endure if examinations are held amidst the prevailing situation of the country. We brought to the attention of your good self in a detailed manner the ways in which the exam candidates will have to suffer as a result of the existing travel restrictions and inter-provincial public transport suspension. Nevertheless, since the erudite members of the Council have decided to proceed with the examinations even after considering our letter, we would like to kindly request you to inform the relevant authorities to consider the Identity Card of Sri Lanka Law College (SLLC) to be regarded as a pass to travel during the period of examinations. It would indeed make the lives of the students convenient in the circumstances where travel and inter-provincial public transport restrictions are in existence.
“Last but not least, as we have informed the administration of SLLC on prior occasions, the students have raised concerns pertaining to the possibility of getting the Covid-19 vaccine to ensure that the potential health risk their lives are exposed to, is reduced.
“We urge your esteemed self to be considerate about these matters since if these go unanswered, it might even lead to jeopardising the entire examination, and then all the efforts of the students and administration would be in vain. LSU represents the entire Law student fraternity and even if only one student is affected or prejudiced, it becomes our concern. We are advocates of a just and fair examination which provides equal opportunity to all the candidates without causing any prejudice. Further, we value the health and safety of our students and invigilators to ensure that the examination runs smoothly.”
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
