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On-arrival visa controversy: Patali draws IMF’s attention, warns police over playing politics with the issue

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Patali Champika Ranawaka

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Leader of the United Republican Front (Eksath Janaraja Peramuna) Patali Champika Ranawaka has alleged that the controversial outsourcing of the on-arrival visa processing to a foreign company violated the government procurement process, as well as the understanding with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in respect of anti-corruption measures.

The former Minister said that the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government has proved yet again that underhand mega deals continued to be hatched, regardless of consequences, especially to the already bankrupt country.

MP Ranawaka said that he raised this serious matter in Parliament on May 22, the day the government presented two controversial and far reaching Finance Bills, namely ‘The Economic Transformation Bill’ and ‘The Public Financial Management Bill’

Colombo District MP Ranawaka said that the Parliament, in late July 2023, approved an Anti-Corruption Bill meant to improve governance and accountability in the face of developing political and economic crisis and meeting requirements linked to a $2.9bn bailout from IMF.

That legislation was passed without a vote in the 225-member house. The outsourcing of on-arrival visa processing, amidst growing demands for tangible measures to enhance government revenue, triggered a powerful public outcry but the government continued to behave like a deaf and blind elephant, MP Ranawaka said.

The former Minister has declared in Parliament that the on-arrival visa scam should be addressed the way the government dealt with procurement of fake immunoglobulin IV vials that was exposed last year. Keheliya Rambukwella, who had served as the Health Minister at the time of the incident, resigned immediately after he was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). At the time the CID took him to custody, Rambukwella held the Environment Portfolio.

MP Ranawaka emphasized that there couldn’t be any justifiable reason whatsoever to outsource on-arrival visa processing as SLT Mobitel handled it without any issue at a very economical price. According to Ranawaka, SLT Mobitel got involved during the second term of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The ex-Minister said: “Three years after the war that ended in 2009, an expert committee recommended that on-line visa processing be outsourced. SLT Mobitel was picked. The lion’s share of that company belonged to the government.”

MP Ranawaka said that SLT Mobitel was of the view that the agreement that had been signed in this regard should be updated within five or six years. Against that background, the government had received proposals in this regard and following Covid-19 pandemic SLT Mobitel was given the task to upgrade the on-arrival processing system.

Lawmaker Ranawaka alleged that in spite of SLT Mobitel’s proposal being compatible with the government stand on this matter, the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government gave it to foreign entities.

Sri Lanka, in late 2023, signed a tripartite contract with GBS Technology Services & IVS Global FZCO being the prime contractor and VFS Global being the technology partner for what was called the government’s new E-Visa solution.

The EJP declared in Parliament that the new proposal to outsource on-arrival visa processing to a foreign firm was submitted by Public Security Minister Tiran Alles in September 2023. Minister Alles, both in and outside Parliament, has repeatedly claimed that he followed the procedures in place and the proposal even had the approval of Parliament. VFS Global that is in the centre of controversy, too, issued a statement to clarify its stand on the matter.

MP Ranawaka said that a government that examined all proposals received in this connection accepted the SLT Moibitel project proposal.

Declaring that the new proposal didn’t benefit bankrupt Sri Lanka at all, MP Ranawaka said despite the country being in such a desperate situation the current dispensation continued corrupt practices. Having named the foreign parties that had been involved in the on-arrival visa processing here, MP Ranawaka said each visitor had to pay USD 18.50 and US 7.27 to the overseas company. How could this be justified, MP Ranawaka asked, the government in the name of upgrading the on-arrival processing system allowed an external party to benefit.

Overnight, the visa fee that had been USD 50 was increased to USD 100.77 of which USD 25.77 went to the foreign company.

The government owed an explanation in this regard, MP Ranawaka said, adding that those who had been summoned by Parliament for examination of the issue at hand didn’t turn up.

“We would like to know the basis for this payment,” MP Ranawaka said, pointing out the officials couldn’t explain what they had done when they were summoned by the relevant parliamentary watchdog committee on the first day. They skipped the second meeting, the MP alleged.

Overcharging foreigners wouldn’t be beneficial to the tourism industry that had suffered heavy losses due to Covid-19 pandemic and then the massive economic downturn.

Pointing out that there were national security implications, MP Ranawaka said that those who had been concerned and aggressively became vociferous about Indian interventions here, too, were silent for obvious reasons.

The former Minister emphasized the urgent need to introduce a system capable of tackling waste, corruption, irregularities and mismanagement.

Stressing the next national election was just months away, MP Ranawaka warned government servants, particularly the police and the CID, not to earn the wrath of the public by violating laws.The ex-Minister said that those who bend laws would be held accountable for their actions.



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US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development

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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.”

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Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees

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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.

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CIPM successfully concludes 8th Annual Symposium

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Left to right, Prof. Arosha Adikaram - Chairperson of the Symposium, UAC Obeyesekere – Chief Executive Officer, CIPM Sri Lanka, Guest of Honor - Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer, MAS Holdings PVT Ltd., Sri Lanka, Ken Vijayakumar, President, CIPM Sri Lanka, Priyantha Ranasinghe,Vice President, CIPM Sri Lanka, Col. Saman Jayawickrama (Retd) – Secretary, CIPM Sri Lanka, Dr Dilanjalee Weerathunga – Co Chairperson of the Symposium

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.

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