News
NMSJ asks for postponement of debate on Online Safety Bill, fresh consultations
Sajith says govt.’s impending electoral defeat cannot be reversed through constitutional means
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) has urged the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government to put off the two-day debate on the proposed Online Safety Bill scheduled for January 23 and 24th.
The NMSJ, led by former Yahapalana speaker Karu Jayasuriya, has warned that the Bill, if enacted, will severely hinder freedom of expression and have a negative impact on the digital as well as the overall economy.
On behalf of the NMSJ, its General Secretary Sunil Jayasekera issued the warning on Monday (15) in the wake of the Committee on Parliamentary Business announcing that the debate on the Second Reading of the Bill is on January 23 and 24.
Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera said that the Committee on Parliamentary Business met on January 12, under the leadership of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.
Public Security Minister Tiran Alles presented the Online Safety Bill to Parliament on Oct 03, 2023. The Bill seeks to “establish the Online Safety Commission; to make provisions to prohibit online communication of certain statements in Sri Lanka; to prevent the use of online accounts and inauthentic online accounts for prohibited purposes; to make provisions to identify and declare online locations used for prohibited purposes in Sri Lanka; to suppress the financing and other support of communication of false statements of fact and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.”
Referring to a spate of statements issued by local and foreign organizations, in respect of the controversial Bill, Jayasekera alleged that the new law would suppress freedom of expression.
Declaring that the Supreme Court determination of the Bill was solely based on the examination of its constitutionality, Jayasekera said that the Online Safety Bill, or its provisions, weren’t inconsistent with the Constitution and could be passed by a simple majority, following committee stage amendments on certain clauses.
Speaker Abeywardena announced the Supreme Court determination on the Bill on Nov 07, 2023. The Speaker said that the Supreme Court determined that a series of clauses must be passed by a special majority, but if those clauses were amended in the committee stage, the Bill could be passed by a simple majority.
Jayasekera said that the government should consult relevant experts, other stakeholders, and the public, regarding the proposed Bill though the Supreme Court gave its conditional consent.
Dissident SLPP lawmaker Prof. G. L. Peiris said that the Online Safety Bill and the Anti-Terrorism Bill seemed to be key segments of the overall government political strategy in view of the impending national polls.
The former External Affairs Minister said that the government was bent on overwhelming the Opposition in the run-up to the scheduled elections. The world renowned academic said that all members of Parliament, regardless of their party affiliations, should recognize the threat posed by the two laws.
“Obviously, government strategists view social media platforms as quite a threat and sought to reverse their deteriorating popularity by suppressing the democratic Opposition. Bringing the media, particularly the social media, under government control, is one of their primary objectives,” Prof. Peiris said.
Referring to statements issued by various parties opposed to the Online Safety Bill, Prof. Peiris warned the government that the growing public resentment couldn’t be crushed by enactment of repressive laws.
Samagi Jana Balwegaya (SJB) and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said that his party would vote against the hotly disputed Bill.
The former UNP deputy leader said that the government was in a bind and the recent increase in almost all consumer goods, in the wake of the Value-Added Tax (VAT) increase, intensified the protest campaign. Declaring that the Online Safety Bill, a seriously flawed law, lawmaker Premadasa said that the impending defeat at the presidential and parliamentary polls couldn’t be reversed through constitutional means.
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
