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Opp. parties ask for external pressure on Prez to conduct LG polls
JJB not among the signatories to appeal
Opposition political parties, except the JVP-led NPP, have appealed to the international community to exert pressure on the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government to conduct the local government polls, scheduled for 09 March.
The following is the text of the letter addressed to heads of diplomatic missions in Colombo. It has been signed by General Secretary, Freedom People’s Alliance Thilanga Sumathipala, Convener Freedom People’s Congress MP Prof. G L Peiris, Leader of the Freedom People’s Congress MP Dullas Alahapperuma, Chairman Uttara Lanka Sabaghaya MP Wimal Weerawansa, Sri Lanka Freedom Party General Secretary MP Dayasiri Jayasekara, Leader Jana Jaya Front MP Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, MP Freedom People’s Front Leader Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, Sri Lanka Mahajana Party General Secretary MP Asanka Navarathne, and Uttara Lanka Sabaghaya General Secretary Dr. G. Weerasinghe: “We would like to express to you our deep concern about the unprecedented situation which has currently arisen in our country with regard to so basic a matter as the franchise of the People.
As you are aware, the time frames for the conduct of elections, at all levels -Presidential, Parliamentary, Provincial Councils, and local government authorities – are defined by the Constitution of Sri Lanka, and other applicable statutory regimes. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory, there being no flexibility or scope for exercise of discretion.
Elections have consistently taken place in our country, at regular intervals, and the nation is justly proud of its rich and vibrant democratic tradition, which is an integral part of our culture.
For the first time in our history, the government of the day has adopted the startling position that an election cannot be held because the financial resources required are not available. The implications of this will be apparent upon a moment’s reflection.
It would now seem, in accordance with the government position that it is for the incumbent administration to decide whether resources can or cannot be utilized for the holding of an election. The matter, consequently, is entirely in the hands of the government in power.
At its sole discretion, the government of the day will be entitled to postpone any election, on the ground of unavailability, or inadequacy of resources – a power which it will no doubt be tempted to exercise in any circumstances, where imminent defeat is probable.
This will inevitably result in withholding from the people their cherished right of suffrage, the source from which all other democratic rights and freedoms flow.
The funds required for the election, scheduled to be held on 9th March, 2023, have been allocated by Parliament in the Annual Appropriation Act, which was passed in December last year.
It is the imperative duty of the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance to place these resources at the disposal of the Election Commission. Failure to do so, manifestly, exposes this official to serious consequences arising from intentional violation of the Constitution.
Article 3 of the Constitution which deals with the Sovereignty of the People, makes reference to “the franchise” which has been authoritatively interpreted by the Supreme Court as including elections to local government bodies. Article 3 is entrenched by Article 83 which has the effect that the former Article can be amended, or repealed, only by a two–thirds majority in Parliament, followed by acceptance by the People at a referendum.
In Mohamed Hussain vs Election Commission of Sri Lanka, the Supreme Court observed: “Local authorities have a long history and play an important role at the grassroots level. Their functions are regulation, control and administration of all matters relating to the public health, public utility services and public thoroughfares and generally with the protection and promotion of comfort, convenience and welfare of the people and the amenities of the town or village. By delay in holding elections people are deprived of representatives who could have addressed their grievances and attended to their welfare and needs”. The Court explicitly held: “The failure to hold elections on the due date or postponing is a violation of the fundamental rights of the people”.
It is clear that every conceivable form of pressure has been brought to bear by the Executive on the Election Commission to prevent them from fulfilling their constitutional obligations. The Commission has publicly referred to more than 20 attempts by the government to thwart the holding of the election.
The result of these sustained initiatives is to erode core democratic values and to place in jeopardy the very survival of the democratic system of governance in Sri Lanka. Entrenchment of this dangerous precedent has incalculable consequences for the wellbeing of our people.
We ask Your Excellencies to bring this distressing state of affairs to the notice of your respective capitals, with a view to prevailing on the government of Sri Lanka to desist from a course of action, gravely detrimental to the nation.”
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
