News
May 09 mayhem: C’bo HC lawyers gun for Johnston
Change at CID top amidst high profile probe
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The Colombo High Court Lawyers’ Association has questioned newly appointed DIG, CID, Prasad Ranasinghe as regards, what the outfit called, the glaring double standards in dealing with SLPP lawmakers under investigation over their alleged involvement in the unprovoked attacks on people demanding the resignation of the government on May 09.
Association’s President Lakshman Perera yesterday (25) told The Island that the CID arrested two lawmakers, Sanath Nishantha and Milan Jayatilleke, on May 17, whereas several other members of Parliament, including Johnston Fernando, the main speaker at the Temple Trees event, that had been widely blamed for the subsequent violence, were yet to be produced in court.
Attorney-at-Law Perera made available to The Island, a copy of a letter, dated May 25, addressed to DIG Ranasinghe by Attorney-at-Law Tenny Fernando, the convener of the Colombo High Court Lawyers’ Association. The letter has been also copied to IGP C.D. Wickramaratne, HRC Chairperson retired Supreme Court justice Rohini Marasinghe and Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam.
Pointing out that MP Jayatilleke hadn’t been even in the group of persons who were slapped with a travel ban, lawyer Perera has asked DIG Ranasinghe whether he is in possession of any evidence which may have contributed to the arrest of Jayatilleke and Sanath Nishantha other than video footage and photographs taken on that day.
DIG Ranasinghe, who had been based in Nuwara Eliya, was brought in on May 23 as DIG, CID, after DIG. W. Tillekeratne, the senior officer in charge of the unit asked for a transfer.
Lawyer Perera said that before the change of leadership took place at the CID, the police recorded several statements, regarding the May 09 incidents, although MP Johnston Fernando was called in following the transfer of Tillekeratne. The CID recorded Johnston Fernando’s statement over four hours on May 24.
Among those who had been questioned so far were lawmakers Namal Rajapaksa, Johnston Fernando, Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Sanjeewa Edirimanne, Rohitha Abeygunawardena and C.B. Ratnayake.
Lawyer Perera said that no less a person than President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, in a televised address to the nation, on May 11, assured that those who instigated violence would be dealt with.
Maj. Gen. (retd.) Jagath Alwis, who had been the Secretary to the Public Security Ministry, at the time of the incidents, no longer serves the Ministry. S. Hettiarachchi, on Tuesday, received appointment as Secretary, Public Security Ministry, from President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
The Colombo High Court Lawyers’ Association alleged that the police had gone flat out in Colombo, its suburbs and the provinces where over 1,500 persons were taken into custody over their alleged involvement in the retaliatory attacks, whereas the CID dragged its feet over the initial investigation.
The outfit warned DIG Ranasinghe that the failure on their part to conduct an impartial investigation would cause irreparable damage to the once-respected unit.
Tillekeratne, who had been once assigned to President Mahinda Rajapaksa security unit, was named Director, CID, in late Oct 2021. Tillekeratne succeeded Prasad Ranasinghe. Now, Ranasinghe has been brought back to the CID, as the DIG, in charge of the unit. In his previous stint, Tillekeratne had been Director, CID.
Lawyer Perera said that they closely followed the case amidst growing concerns that relevant laws were being applied on an individual basis or common principles in terms of the Criminal Procedure Code Act No 15 of 1979.
The Attorney-at-Law also drew the public attention to serious accusations directed at the SLPP hierarchy, in Parliament, with lawmaker Dr. Ramesh Pathirana alleging the Senior DIG in charge of Colombo disregarded President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s specific instructions to stop the SLPP march on Galle Face.
Responding to another query, the lawyers’ spokesperson said that they planned further action, depending on the CID Chief’s response. The official appreciated the action initiated by the Attorney General, as regards the May 09 attack on protesting public, though the police seemed to be dragging their feet.
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
