News
MP denies trying to help fugitive through BIA
Person accused in case of whiskey turning to coloured water given bail
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Colombo District SLPP lawmaker Madura Vithanage yesterday (18) denied making an attempt to help fugitive Jayalath Krishan Peiris leave the Bandaranaike International Airport, recently, having arrived from Dubai.
MP Vithanage said that Peiris was on the same Emirates flight 652 with him though they weren’t together. “Yes, I knew him though didn’t in any way try to take him out through the VIP section,” lawmaker Vithanage said. The flight arrived at the BIA in the early hours of January 10.
MP Vithanage said so when The Island sought his response to accusations regarding him trying to help Peiris leave the BIA. Having informed Peiris that there was an open warrant for him, law enforcement authorities had taken him away, MP Vithanage said.
A social media post alleged that Puttalam District MP and State Minister Arundika Fernando had been there to receive Peiris. Journalist Tharindu Uduwegedara, who made the allegation said the detection that had been made at the BIA by law enforcement authorities didn’t receive the required media attention.
MP Vithnage said that his colleague Arundika Fernando had been there to receive Peiris and therefore he witnessed the intervention made by authorities; MP Fernando didn’t answer his mobile phone.
Peiris has been previously investigated by the Customs for the illegal importation of ethanol and was also remanded for the same offense on a different occasion.
MP Vithanage said that he would lodge complaints with the TRC (Telecommunications Regulatory Commission), the PCC (Press Complaints Commission) and the police against what he called extremely unfair reportage on social media.
According to the first time entrant to the Parliament those who produced and posted videos on social media didn’t at least bother to contact him.
Airport and Aviation Chairman General (retd.) G.A. Chandrasiri, declined to comment on the incident.
Police spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa told The Island that Criminal Investigations Department (CID) unit based at the BIA arrested Peiris on the basis of an open warrant issued by courts. Attorney-at-Law Thalduwa emphasized that there hadn’t been any interference by any party and the suspect later produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, was granted bail. The top police official denied the CID informing him of the presence of lawmakers at the time Peiris was arrested.
Counsel for Peiris, Sanka Amarjith said that his client returned to the country fulfilling an assurance to the court that he would come back. The Counsel emphasized that his client didn’t face any narcotics related offense as speculated but was taken into custody regarding an ongoing case.
Peiris was wanted in connection with investigations into a Customs racket carried out at the Global Park bonded warehouse at Seeduwa run by Global Transportation and Logistics (Pvt) Ltd. The Customs sealed the place in August 2020 in the wake of a CID probe into the collusion of Customs officers in the stealing of imported bottles of whiskey meant for re-export and releasing them to the local market.
Former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake’s wife Mela and daughter Onella served on the director board of the company that runs the Global Park.
Cases of Johnnie Walker Black Label were being taken from Global Park to the Ace Container Yard in Wattala for re-export on August 14 when midway, around 900 bottles were replaced with bottles containing coloured water, authoritative sources said.
Items that are stored in bonded warehouses are duty-free and strictly for re-export. When transported anywhere in the country, even between warehouses, Customs officials must accompany the goods.
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
