News
Lawyer draws judge Marasinghe’s attention to deaths in custody
HRC issues instructions to police on PTA cases
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The Human Rights Commission (HRC) has issued specific instructions to police headquarters as regards those already in custody under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and new arrests.
The heads of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) and the Police Legal Division have been advised to brief the HRC immediately on the change of status of PTA suspects, as well as new arrests.
Authoritative sources said that instructions had been issued at a meeting summoned by the newly appointed HRC Chairperson Justice (Retired) Rohini Marasinghe last Wednesday (29) at the HRC.
HRC Commissioner Dr. Vijitha Nanayakkara participated online whereas the other members, Chairperson Marasinghe, Ven. Kalupahana Piyarathana Thero, Dr. M.H. Nimal Karunasiri and Ms. Anusuya Shanmuganathan attended the meeting. Sources said that the HRC had stressed the pivotal importance of keeping the outfit fully informed of developments relating to PTA cases.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has recently appointed Ven. Kalupahana Piyarathana Thero, Sri Lankan Collective for Consensus (SLCC), to the HRC. Sources said that the SLCC had held discussions with the government over the post-war reconciliation process and the PTA remained high on the group’s agenda. Ven. Priyarathana replaced another civil society activist Harsha Kumara Navaratne, who recently received appointment as High Commissioner in Canada.
The HRC has also asked the head of the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) to be present at discussions pertaining to PTA cases. Sources said that though the CCD had made representations to the HRC last week, the Commissioners were keen to meet the head of the outfit himself.
A spokesperson for the HRC told The Island that over 12 years after the conclusion of the war, the PTA had remained one of the most contentious issues with the UN, the European Union as well as several powerful countries repeatedly taking it up.
Sri Lanka was under pressure to do away with the PTA or introduce amendments ‘to make it conform to international standards’, the official said. Referring to work undertaken by successive governments in this regard, the official said that the HRC intended to maintain a closer watch on law enforcement outfits.
Several hundred persons are currently detained under PTA. Most of them are believed to be persons taken into custody in connection with the ongoing investigations into Easter Sunday attacks (2019).
Prominent civil society activists who haven’t joined the SLCC initiative say the government owes an explanation on how it intends to reform the PTA. One-time HRC member, Ambika Satkunanathan, in a recent statement sent to The Island on behalf of a large grouping of civil society members and organisations strongly criticised the way the government handled the issue. The grouping alleged that the government proposals shared with the SLCC did not address even ten basic shortcomings of the PTA. Calling for greater transparency in the process, the group has warned that national security couldn’t be achieved by causing insecurity among sections of the population. The group has reiterated its call for repealing the PTA.
The group has said: “The repeal of the PTA must also be considered in light of the anti-terrorism and public security legal framework that Sri Lanka has in place, and the historical abuse of power by state entities. These entities should not be bestowed with additional power.”
Appreciating the HRC focus on PTA cases, lawyer Senaka Perera said that urgent review of security of those in police and judicial custody was necessary. Senaka Perera emphasized that the new HRC head should inquire into deaths in police custody since the change of government in Nov 2019. Responding to another query, the lawyer said that deaths in custody ceased during the 2015-2019 period but resumed after the last presidential election.
The rights activist said that he intended to seek a meeting with the HRC soon to discuss the issues at hand. “Death of handcuffed persons cannot be accepted under any circumstances,” lawyer said, faulting the police headquarters as well as the Public Security Ministry over continuing killings in custody. Referring to the statements issued by the HRC during tenure of Dr. Jagath Balasuriya as the Chairperson of the outfit as regards deaths in custody, attorney-at-law Perera said that the HRC failed to take tangible measures. Those bent on subverting the law wouldn’t give up their strategy simply because the HRC issued a statement or called for explanation from police headquarters. The lawyer said that he hoped the new HRC head would take remedial measures.
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
