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Over 20 MPs flout party decisions at Budget vote
Unseating of Ahamed no deterrent:
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The unseating of Batticaloa District Opposition MP Naseer Ahamed for voting for the 2022 Budget during its Third Reading on Dec 10, 2021, was widely expected to serve as a deterrent to other dissidents, but over 20 MPs voted for or against the 2024 Budget last week in violation of their parties’ stances on the Appropriation Bill. The majority of them were SLPP members.
In October 2023, the Supreme Court upheld the expulsion by the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) of the then Environment Minister Naseer Ahamed. The MP was found guilty of acting against the SLMC’s decision to vote against the 2022 Budget.
Soon after the SC decision, SLMC General Secretary Nizam Karipper said that the expulsion of Nazeer Ahamed would have a bearing on the 2024 Budget vote in Parliament. He said so in response to The Island query. MPs would think twice before switching allegiance to another party for personal gain, he predicted.
Dissident SLPP MP Ranasinghe was among those who voted against the Budget. Ranasinghe, who was sacked as the Sports Minister over the continuing dispute over Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) corruption, voted against the SLPP’s decision to back the Budget.
According to a list prepared by the Office of Chief Government Whip, three Opposition MPs A. H. M. Fowzie, Ali Sabry Raheem, who had been expelled by All Ceylon Makkal Congress over failed gold and smartphones smuggling bid, and Vadivel Suresh, voted for the Budget.
Those who voted against the SLPP’s decision to back President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s budget after having elected/appointed on the SLPP lists were Prof. G.L. Peiris, Wimal Weerawansa, Udaya Gammanpila, Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, Jayantha Samaraweera, Lalith Ellawala, Udayana Kirindigoda, Wasantha Yapa Bandara, Shan Wijayalal de Silva, Dallas Alahapperuma, Weerasumana Weerasinghe, Dr. Upul Galappaththi, Dr. Thilak Rajapaksha, Gunapala Ratnasekera, Jayantha Herath, Dayasiri Jayasekera, Prof. Channa Jayasumana, Sarath Kumarasiri, Maithripala Sirisena, Dilan Perera, Gamini Waleboda, Sarathi Dushmantha, Mohammed Muzammil, Gevindu Kumaratunga and Prof. Charitha Herath.
In addition to them, SLPP MPs Chamal Rajapaksa and Namal Rajapaksa abstained contrary to a decision taken by the government group at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.
The vote on the Budget also divided those who had distanced themselves from the SLPP with some voting against, some for and the rest skipping it. Of them Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and Priyankara Jayaratne voted for, while Dr. Sudhashini Fernandopulle, Chandima Weerakkody, Nimal Piyatissa, Asanka Nawaratne, Uddhika Premaratne and Prof. Tissa Vitharana abstained.
MPs Vasudeva Nanayakkara and Dr. Gayeshan Nawanandana, both of the Democratic Left Front, who also entered Parliament on the SLPP ticket, took different stands at the Budget vote. Nanayakkara abstained, while Dr. Nawanandana backed Wickremesinghe’s Budget.
Three SJB MPs, namely Manusha Nanayakkara, Harin Fernando and Diana Gamge, voted for the Budget.The SLFP was also divided over the vote. Of the 14 MPs (12 elected on SLPP ticket, one appointed on the SLPP National List, and one elected on the SLFP ticket). However, the only MP elected on the SLFP ticket, from Jaffna electoral district, skipped the vote.
Tamil political parties couldn’t reach consensus on the Budget. Some MPs, including former LTTE cadre Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pilleyan of the TMVP, voted for the Budget, along with Douglas Devananda and Kulasingham Thilipan, both of the EPDP.Of the Opposition MPs present, former justice C.V. Wigneswaran was the only MP to refrain from voting.
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
