News
Online Safety Act: Opp. to move no-faith motion against Speaker for ignoring SC recommendations
GL alleges Mahinda Yapa an extension of executive
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Alleging that Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena functioned as an extension of the executive, Prof. G. L. Peiris, MP, yesterday (26), declared that the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB)would move a No-Confidence Motion (NCM) against the SLPPer over the enactment of Online Safety law (ONLINE SAFETY ACT, No. 9 OF 2024), contrary to the Constitution.
The SJB-led Opposition will push for debate and vote on the NCM in the run-up to the forthcoming presidential poll. In terms of the Constitution, the next presidential election will have to be conducted between Sept 17 and Oct 17 this year.
The dissident SLPP lawmaker, who recently aligned himself with the SJB, said that the party and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa initiated the NCM. The former External Affairs Minister said so addressing the media at his Kirula Road residence after signing the NCM.
Prof. Peiris alleged that Speaker Abeywardena’s reckless actions undermined the Constitution as well as the parliamentary Standing Orders. There hadn’t been a previous instance of a Speaker disregarding the Supreme Court’s recommendations in respect of a particular Bill the way the incumbent did with the Online Safety Bill (OSB), Prof. Peiris maintained.
Of 225 MPs, 108 cast their votes in favour of the Bill and 62 voted against it.
“In spite of our efforts to convince the Speaker to adhere to the SC’s recommendations, he simply went ahead with the despicable political strategy pursued by the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa dispensation,” the former minister said, alleging that the Speaker also disregarded the Human Rights Commission’s advice in respect of the OSB.
Referring to a lengthy statement, titled ‘Clarification on ill-informed and baseless reports that the Online Safety Bill was passed in violation of the Supreme Court determination’ issued by the Speaker’s Office on February 06, 2024, Prof. Peiris pointed out that the HRC, in a four-page letter dated February 08, 2024 contradicted that stand of the Speaker.
The HRC pointed out that the SC’s recommendations in Section 13 (Clause 13 of the Bill), Section 16 (Clause 17 of the bill), Section 19 (Clause 21 of the Bill), Section 20 (Clause 22 of the Bill) and Section 27 (Clause 31 of the Bill) hadn’t been accommodated.
The HRC didn’t respond to The Island queries whether the Speaker’s Office responded to HRC Chairman retired Supreme Court Justice L.T.B. Dehideniya’s letter.
Prof. Peiris said that of 57 Sections of the Online Law the SC found fault with 34. In respect of the proposed Anti-Terrorism Bill, too, the SC recommended a spate of amendments and controversy surrounding the Broadcasting Authority Bill, the ex-minister said, alleging the government seemed bent on consolidating its position ahead of national elections.
Such laws were meant to protect the incumbent government by discouraging the Opposition, the civil society and the media, Prof. Peiris said, warning the European Union could be compelled to take countermeasures against the country over violation of fundamental rights. That would deliver a deadly blow at a time when the country was struggling to cope up with the developing economic-political-social crisis, the retired top law academic said, reminding the government that Sri Lanka was not out of the woods yet.
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) heavyweight M.A. Sumanthiran, as well as four office-bearers of the United Centenary Front (UCF), moved the SC against the Speaker’s action in purporting to certify the Bill while Parliament stood prorogued is ex facie unconstitutional, illegal, void ab initio and a nullity.
Prof. Peiris said that whatever the differences among various Opposition parties and groups they could take a common stand on the Speaker’s issue.
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.
