News
NARA hits back at Justice Minister, alleges Navy making bid to take over its functions
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) yesterday (07) denied accusations that the premier marine research institute continued to cause massive loss of revenue to the government due to its failure to achieve key responsibility in preparing Electronic Navigation Charts (ENC)/hydrographic maps to be sold to foreign vessels passing through Sri Lankan waters.
NARA maintains that there is absolutely no basis for the allegations made by Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, PC, recently.
Addressing the media on behalf of NARA at its head office at Crow Island, Mattakkuliya, President of the Scientists Association, NARA, Upul Liyanage, its Jt. Secretary Nilupa Samarakoon and D.V.S. P. Bandara of the Technology Transfer Division alleged attempts were being made by interested parties to establish another setup similar to NARA at the expense of an institution that served the country for well over two decades.
They appreciated the initial assistance provided by Germany, beginning in 1986, to facilitate NARA ‘operations.’
The NARA is the apex national institute vested with the responsibility of carrying out research, development and management of aquatic resources. The agency comes under the purview of Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda.
Among the allegations directed at NARA pertained to the utilization of funds received for services provided to foreign parties and lack of commitment to meet the challenging tasks.
The Justice Minister said the National Hydrographic Bill had been submitted to the Parliament to enable the country to receive full benefits of ensuring safe passage of foreign vessels passing through local waters.
However, NARA alleged that the proposed Bill was meant to weaken NARA to pave the way for the Navy to take over the operation. Repeatedly asked why NARA opposed the Bill, the state enterprise insisted that it couldn’t give reasons as the Supreme Court had been moved by the Scientists Association.
Responding to queries, NARA emphasized that Minister Rajapakshe’s claims that Sri Lanka could earn as much as USD 200 mn annually (or Rs 65 bn) if the Navy took over the job didn’t hold water.
Commenting on accusations pertaining to misappropriation of public funds, NARA said that the agency used to receive Rs 20 m annually though that was now down to Rs 1.5 mn. Declaring that NARA hadn’t been found fault by State Audit under any circumstances, they urged the government to provide the required support and help overcome whatever shortcomings.
Reference was also made to the joint Indo-Sri Lanka hydrographic survey undertaken sometime back. NARA declined to answer questions on various projections made by the Navy while repeatedly pointing out that financial gains couldn’t often match massive investments made by the government.
NARA said that contrary to accusations the agency always managed to meet the country’s requirements over the years. There hadn’t been a single instance of the country having to bring in outside expertise as NARA met the requirements. Unfortunately now attempts were being made to tarnish NARA’s image to such an extent both local and foreign parties would lose their confidence in the agency.
NARA acknowledged that they worked with the Navy and since 2019 the only research vessel it owned was manned by the Navy.
NARA said that the agency had been severely perturbed by the move to enact a new Bill amidst heavy onslaught by interested parties.
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
