News
Oversight Committee on National Security condemns blacklisting of Karannagoda
‘Such sensitive action cannot be based on NGO findings’
Chairman of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on National Security, Rear Admiral (retd) Sarath Weerasekara, has condemned the blacklisting by the US of Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda over the latter’s alleged involvement in ‘a gross violation of human rights during his tenure as a Naval Commander’ on the basis of finding made by NGOs and independent investigations.
The former Public Security Minister said so at last Friday’s meeting of the Oversight Committee held in Parliament.
The State Department last Wednesday (26) declared that Karannagoda and his wife, Srimathi Ashoka Karannagoda, wouldn’t be allowed entry into the United States in terms of Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programmes Appropriations Act, 2023.
The US action pertained to alleged abduction and disappearance of 11 youth during 2008-2009. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) investigated the spate of incidents blamed on a group of rogue Navy personnel after Karannagoda, in his capacity as the Commander of Navy, lodged a complaint with the CID on May 28, 2009.
Referring to the State Department’s disclosure that Karannagoda’s designation was based on findings made by the NGOs and independent investigations, the
Colombo District MP questioned the rationale in the State Department decision. How such a sensitive decision could be taken on the basis of information documented by NGOs, the Oversight Committee Chairman asked.
Rear Admiral Weerasekera reminded the parliamentary group how the US denied visa to the then General Sarath Fonseka during yahapalana administration and years later refused entry to Maj. Gen. Udaya Perera though him being issued multiple visa and then designated General Shavendra Silva in Feb 2020.
Both General Silva and Admiral Karannagoda have been designated by Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programmes Appropriations Act.
The Foreign Ministry, in a statement issued soon after the US declaration found fault with the State Department for taking unilateral action without following due process. The ministry asserted that the US action is counter-productive to the holistic approach that Sri Lanka has taken on addressing national unity and reconciliation.
Lawmaker Weerasekera said that the US couldn’t stomach Sri Lanka’s triumph over LTTE terrorism. The former Minister pointed out how Canada in January this year imposed targeted sanctions on former Presidents, Mahinda Rajapaksa and Gotabaya Rajapaksa as well Staff Sergeant Ratnayake and Lieutenant Commander Chandana Prasad Hettiarachchi. Canada dealt with them in terms of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Reference was also made to Australia denying visa to Maj. Gen. Chagie Gallage, one of the frontline commanders over him receiving the command of 59 Division after the conclusion of the war.
Former Minister Weerasekera said that Geneva-based Human Rights Council has categorized Sri Lanka conflict as humanitarian conflict. Regardless of that the US, Canada, Australia et al dealt with Sri Lanka in terms of the international human rights law, thereby acting contrary to the Geneva Convention, lawmaker Weerasekera claimed. The MP insisted that Sri Lankan commanders at any level couldn’t be held accountable in respect of command responsibilities as Geneva dealt with Sri Lanka in terms of international humanitarian law.
Responding to The Island queries, the naval veteran said that Sri Lanka should review the situation against the backdrop of Canadian parliament recognizing genocide in Sri Lanka. Referring to a motion by the Canadian government to recognize May 18 as Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day, lawmaker Weerasekera said that Sri Lanka’s response to such drastic move was insufficient. “We rejected the Canadian move, in a statement issued through the Foreign Ministry. That was in May last year amidst a rapidly developing political-economic-social crisis. In January Canada imposed targeted sanctions on four persons, including two ex-Presidents. We issued another statement. Now the US targeted Admiral Karannagoda. And we issued yet another statement.”
The ex-Minister said that the situation continued to deteriorate for want of a cohesive response on the part of Sri Lanka. The parliament should look into this matter, the MP said. The growing threat to the Sri Lankan State couldn’t be addressed by issuing statements, MP Weerasekera said.
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
