News
Nearly 350 specialists among over 1,000 docs who migrated since 2022 – Parliament
… many face severe difficulties abroad
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The Sectoral Oversight Committee on State Financial Strategy (aka Committee on Ways and Means), tasked with inquiring into affected sectors, has revealed that since January 1, 2022, at least 1,198 doctors have migrated.
Among them were 348 specialists, the committee chaired by MP Patali Champika Ranawaka, the leader of Eksath Janaraja Peramuna said.
The Parliament appointed the Sectoral Committee on State financial strategy in late March 2023.
During Dec 13 proceedings of the Committee, involving senior representatives of professional associations, it transpired that over 1,500 doctors, including specialists, had migrated since the onset of the crisis in early 2021.
The Committee was also told of the closure of 20 rural hospitals and the vulnerability of 400 more hospitals and units due to dearth of qualified staff.
Members of the Committee, MPs Ashok Abeysinghe, S.M.M. Musharaff and Nalaka Bandara Kottegoda participated in the proceedings whereas non-members Anupa Pasquel and Dayasiri Jayasekra participated with the permission of the Chairman.
Referring to the banking sector, the Committee said that by June 2023 approximately 1,500 had migrated and by Sept 30, 2023 that figure doubled and the situation would worsen by end of this month.
The Committee and associations reached consensus that the salary issue and the increase in tax burden weren’t the only push factors. They agreed that overall economic vulnerabilities and uncertainty experienced by children contributed to the crisis situation.
During the proceedings, it transpired that some of those who had migrated since 2021 weren’t able to secure suitable employment and are experiencing difficulties today.
The number of CEB engineers who migrated during 2022 was placed near 100.
Professionals associations questioned the rationale in targeting them against the backdrop of the failure on the part of the government to collect taxes, penalties and interest due from various companies and individuals.
They asked whether the government wanted to collect taxes only from those who earned a fixed monthly income.
The Committee was also told how even arrears payments reimbursement of money spent on post graduate degrees, too, were subjected to tax.
At the onset of the proceedings, lawmaker Ranawaka explained measures taken by his Committee to streamline tax collection and instructions and directives issued to Inland Revenue Department, Customs and Excise.
MP Ranawaka told The Island that those responsible for revenue collection seemed to be pursuing their own agenda, regardless of further deterioration of the situation.
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
