News
Naval operations yielded more than 700 kilos of heroin last year
Navy headquarters said that operations conducted during 2023 led to the arrest of 343 persons, both local and foreign, involved in a wide array of illegal acts, including smuggling of narcotics, prescription drugs, and contraband as well as human smuggling.
The Navy has been collaborating closely with the Police, Police Narcotic Bureau, State Intelligence Service, and STF, actively sharing information during anti-drug operations.
The following is the text of the Navy statement: “In operations conducted in 2023, significant quantities of illicit substances were seized, including over 715 kg of heroin, over 3711 kg of Kerala cannabis, over 50kg of local cannabis, more than 140 kg of ‘Hashish’ and more than 11kg of Crystal Methamphetamine (Ice). In addition, 92,572 plants of local cannabis were also destroyed during these operations. Additionally, 187 individuals, suspected of involvement in drug trafficking, have been apprehended. Among them are 18 individuals with local fishing trawlers, 05 Iranian suspects with an Iranian dhow, 03 Pakistani suspects, and 06 Indian suspects operating with 02 Indian fishing trawlers. These apprehensions have led to the initiation of further legal proceedings against the suspects, upon their apprehension.
Also, the Navy has apprehended eight suspects attempting to sell 191 bottles of foreign liquor as well as 41380 illegal cigarettes, 1,016,755 prescription drugs and 2642 ‘Madana Modaka’ aphrodisiac pills and 42 suspects in connection to those illegal acts. Moreover, 11 elephant pearls, over 14kg of gold made ready to be smuggled from the country with 11 suspects and 03 local trawlers were held as part of the naval operations in the year 2023.
The Navy also seized over 36910kg of smuggled Tendu leaves, over 878kg of tobacco powder, more than 990kg of turmeric, over 1267kg of cardamom, 4722 bottles and 12907 packets of agrochemical, 45418 cosmetic products and apprehended 60 suspects in the past year.
Preventive of human smuggling and illegal migration efforts, the Navy held 01 boat and 05 persons for their involvement in human smuggling. Additionally, the Navy has apprehended 01 boat and 09 individuals attempting illegal migration to India, as well as 02 boats and 07 individuals attempting illegal migration from India to Sri Lanka. Upon being held, they were handed over to authorities for further legal action.”
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
