News
Lawmakers, Speaker challenged to reveal their choice to counter bribery allegations
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Senior Front line Socialist Party (FSP) spokesperson Pubudu Jagoda yesterday (19) urged all members of Parliament, including Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, to reveal whom they would support at today’s vote to elect a President.
Acting President and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, SLPP’s Dullas Alahapperuma and JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake are in the fray.
Acknowledging that the scheduled process would be a secret vote, Jagoda said that the members of Parliament should have the strength to declare their choice.
The breakaway JVP faction, the FSP played a critical role at times in barbaric protests that forced President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to leave the country.
Those who voted for them have a right to know how their representatives responded to the unprecedented political crisis, the activist said. The FSP’s Education Secretary emphasized that the outfit felt that the MPs taking an open stand would be a prerequisite for creating what he called a level playing field.
Responding to another query, Jagoda said that by declaring their choice before the vote, lawmakers could quite easily counter allegations pertaining to the bribing of members. Noting that voters could mark second and third preferences, Jagoda challenged all political parties and individual lawmakers as well not to take cover behind parliamentary privileges, but to openly declare their first, second, and third choices.
The Parliament, as an institution, repeatedly faulted for its failure to ensure financial transparency and discipline that contributed to the current crisis, could redeem itself by conducting a clean election, devoid of controversies.
Jagoda noted that so far only Vasudeva Nanayakkara has publicly declared his support for Dullas Alahapperuma. Referring to the continuing controversy surrounding the ruling SLPP’s stand on today’s vote with party Chairman Prof. G.L. Peiris challenging the party secretary Sagara Kariyawasam’s declaration in support of Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s candidature, Jagoda said that the electorate would never get such an opportunity to test the integrity of those elected at the 2020 general election.
The lawmakers should be able to justify their actions, Jagoda said, adding that those who intended to abstain, too, should explain their decision.
Fifteen political parties and alliances are represented in parliament. They are Sir Lanka Podujana Peramuna (145 seats), Samagi Jana Balavegaya (54), Illankai Thamil Arasu Kadchi (10), Jathika Jana Balavegaya (03), Ahila Illankai Tamil Congress (02), Eelam People’s Democratic Party (02), United National Party (01), Sir Lanka Freedom Party (01), Our Power of People’s Party (01), Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (01), Muslim National Alliance (01), Tamil Makkal Thesiya Kutani (01), All Ceylon Makkal Congress (01), National Congress (01) and Sir Lanka Muslim Congress (01).
The Parliament consists of 196 elected and 29 appointed members. Of the 29 National List slots, the SLPP and the SJB won 17 and 07 seats, respectively.
Jagoda said that it would be the responsibility of the new President and the proposed all-party government to address the issues at hand taking into consideration the problems highlighted by protesters. The activist stressed that the outcome of Wednesday’s vote shouldn’t in anyway undermine the formation of a genuine all-party government.
Asked whether the FSP was aware of a group of persons seeking to register a political party on the basis of their involvement in the protest campaign against the then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his government, Jagoda said he didn’t know anything more than what was reported in print and electronic media.
A delegation from the Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF) on Monday (18) met SJB and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa to discuss latest developments. The meeting took place ahead of Premadasa quitting the presidential race. The IUSF which spearheaded the campaign against the Rajapaksa administration is affiliated to the FSP. IUSF convener Wasantha Mudalige led the delegation.
Responding to the IUSF’s call for the implementation of an agreed set of proposals within a specific time frame, lawmaker Premadasa pointed out the difficulty in achieving targets ahead of deadlines.
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
