News
Now, SJB lawmaker accused of being a UK citizen
EC Chairman denies allegations
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Election Commission (EC) Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya has denied accusations that controversial SJB National List lawmaker Diana Gamage is a dual citizen, and therefore not eligible to be a member of parliament.
Responding to a spate of allegations, the EC Chairman has said that both the Registrar of Persons and the Immigration and Emigration Department confirmed she was born at Kalubowila in 1965 and carried a Sri Lankan passport and not registered as a dual citizen.
In terms of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution enacted in early 2015, dual citizens are not eligible to contest either parliamentary or presidential elections.
Defeated UNP Colombo District candidate at the recently concluded general election Oshala Herath yesterday told The Island that the public really appreciated the EC Chairman responding to him personally after he raised the issue on the social media.
Herath alleged that lawmaker Diana Gamage at the time she took oaths as an MP held British citizenship. One-time aide to President Maithripala Sirisena acknowledged she may have not probably sought dual citizenship and, therefore, was a British citizen in Sri Lanka Parliament.
Herath said that he had received an assurance from Deshapriya a copy of Diana Gamage’s National identity Card handed over to the EC along with the Samagi Jana Balavegaya’s National List proved she was a Sri Lanka. Herath however said that UK trade information provider ‘Companies House’ recognised the new MP as a British national.
Responding to criticism against him on social media, Deshapriya emphasised that it wouldn’t be fair to criticise him as he wasn’t the EC. Deshapriya suggested whatever inquiries and complaints should be directed to the EC.
The EC comprises three members. In addition to Deshapriya, Prof. Ratnajeevan Hoole and Nalin Abeysekera PC constitute the EC.
Diana Gamage was among eight Opposition MPs who voted for the 20th Amendment to the Constitution last Thursday (22) in violation of a decision taken by the SJB to oppose the Bill. She also voted for the clause that permitted dual citizens to enter Parliament.
Diana Gamage held the post of Secretary of Ape Jathika Peramuna, a political party recognised by the Election department/Election Commission before dissident UNP group led by Sajith Premadasa took over that party in the run-up to last the parliamentary election. Premadasa re-registered Ape Jathika Peramuna as the Samagi Jana Balavegaya under controversial circumstances, according to a complaint lodged by Herath with the CIABOC (Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption).
In terms of the agreement between the two parties to the agreement, Diana Gamage received one of the seven National List slots secured by the SJB.
In the previous parliament, Galle District MP Geetha Kumarasinghe lost her seat following the Supreme Court ruling that she had been a dual citizen of Sri Lanka and Switzerland at the time of her election.
Herath said that he would complain to police headquarters later this week about the dual citizenship issue.
SLPP MPs including Wimal Weerawansa and Udaya Gammanpila are on record as having said that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa assured them the prohibition on dual citizens will be re-imposed when his government brings in a new Constitution.
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
