News
Opp. activist admits govt. commands over 150 members
SLPP project to secure 2/3 for 20A: Wimal alleges bid to ‘bribe’ his group
By Shamindra Ferdinando
An unexpected crisis has erupted in the ruling coalition with the National Freedom Front (NFF) accusing SLPP National List MP Jayantha Ketagoda of making an attempt to bribe some of its members, ahead of the vote on proposed 20th Amendment to the Constitution scheduled for today (22).
Ketagoda previously entered Parliament on the JVP-led Democratic National Alliance (DNA) ticket in March 2011 after the then General Sarath Fonseka, MP, was disqualified after being jailed by a Military Court.
NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa has brought the alleged attempt to the notice of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday (21) in Parliament.
A spokesperson for the party told The Island that Minister Weerawansa had named MP Ketagoda as the culprit when Premier Rajapaksa inquired who made the alleged attempt.
The spokesperson claimed that those members of parliament present there thwarted a clash between lawmakers Weerawansa and Ketagoda after the Premier left the meeting.
According to Minister Weerawansa, his members had been offered a range of perks and privileges if they give up their campaign against the proposed move to pave the way for dual citizens to enter parliament.
The NFF parliamentary group consists of six lawmakers, including one National List MP. It comprises Wimal Weerawansa, Jayantha Samaraweera, Mohammed Muzammil, Nimal Piyatissa, Gamini Waleboda and Uddika Premaratne.
In addition to the NFF, several others elected on the SLPP ticket and appointed through the National List, Udaya Gammanpila (Pivithuru Hela Urumaya), Vasudeva Nanayakkara (Democratic Left Front), Prof. Tissa Vitharana (Lanka Samasamaja Pakshaya), Weerasumana Weerasinha (Community Party), Gevindu Cumaratunga and Anupa Pasquel et al expressed concerns over the proposed 20th Amendment. However, they were able to reach consensus on several contentious issues including limit on the number of ministers and non-cabinet ministers and state auditing process, sources said. But, the SLPP remained divided over the move to accommodate dual citizens in parliament.
Following consultations between the NFF and the CP represented by former minister Dew Gunasekera at Rajagiriya on Tuesday (20), Minister Weerawansa said that exclusion of dual citizens from parliament should be extended to Secretaries to the Ministries, Ambassadors/High Commissioners and Governor of the Central Bank and other important appointments.
Meanwhile, civil society activist Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon spearheading a campaign to protect the 19th Amendment told media briefing at Narahenpita yesterday (21) the likes of Wimal Weerawansa was trying play the role of the Opposition while being in the government. Tennakoon, who readily gave up the post of Executive Director of polls monitoring group CaFFE without any qualms to receive appointment as a Governor under President Maithripala Sirisena’s administration, however questioned the NFF’s strategy. Tennakoon alleged that the NFF only opposed Basil Rajapaksa’s re-entry to parliament though the outfit questioned several clauses in the proposed 20th Amendment.
Alleging that NFF leader pursued personal agenda, Tennakoon said that regardless of his opposition, the party would vote for the 20th Amendment. Tennakoon acknowledged that the SLPP could comfortably secure 2/3 majority for the 20th Amendment. Tennakoon said that 23 lawmakers who had previously voted for 17th, 18th and 19 would support the 20th Amendment, too.
The SLPP parliamentary group comprises 145 members. The remaining members represent the SJB (54), ITAK (10), JJB (3), AITC (2), EPDP (2), UNP (1), SLFP (1), OPPP (1), TMVP (1), MNA (1), TMTK (1), ACMC (1), NC (1), and SLMC (1).
Asserting that the government could receive over 155 votes in support of the 20th Amendment, Tennakoon revealed that those who represented the Opposition in Batticaloa, Badulla and Ratnapura were likely to switch their allegiance.
Declaring that those amendments placed before the Supreme Court by Attorney General Dappula de Livera on behalf of the government was nothing but eyewash; Tennakoon said that some of those who protested against the 20th Amendment today backed it.
Tennakoon alleged that Weerawansa was seeking to play the role of the Opposition Leader.
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
