News
Parliament shouldn’t depend on foreign funding – Gevindu
By Saman Indrajith
SLPP National List MP Gevindu Kumaratunga yesterday (28) told Parliament that the dignity of parliament and its MPs had been compromised by certain actions of the former Speaker who allowed the USAID to creep in with its own agendas to manipulate the process of parliament.
Raising a privilege issue in Parliament yesterday, MP Kumaratunga said: The orientation workshop held on 25 and 26 in the Parliamentary complex was very fruitful for the newly elected MPs. On behalf of newly elected MPs, I thank those who had organised and conducted the event. However, I would like to mention three incidents that took place during the workshop. At the commencement of the workshop each participant was given a bag containing the Constitution, books and documents including the Standing Orders, photographs of the old and new Parliament, and a notebook carrying the logo of the USAID. On June 2, 2019, The Sunday Times reported that the US had been campaigning to get certain agreements including the ACSA detrimental to the national interests of Sri Lanka signed. The US ambassador in Sri Lanka was involved in that campaign. It was also reported that the then Foreign Secretary who had facilitated the process, later after his retirement joined this parliament as a foreign affairs consultant of the former Speaker.
“The same newspaper on June 09, 2019 reported that his salary had been paid by the USAID. The matter was raised in this House by the then opposition MP Dinesh Gunawardena and the then opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa, too, condemned that appointment as something that was inimical to the dignity of this House. The then Speaker thereafter instead of doing away with that post took actions to terminate the USAID paying the salary and thereafter the salaries for the foreign affairs advisor to the Speaker was paid from public funds. That was exposed by The Sunday Times of July 14, 2019. At the orientation workshop the matter was raised, and MP Channa Jayasumana asked whether it was not detrimental to the country’s interests to obtain USAID gifts. Responding to that question, the Secretary General of Parliament said that the USAID had spent an enormous sum of money on developing the communications division of parliament.
“It is our standpoint that this august assembly considered to be the supreme body of public representatives should be maintained without depending on funds from foreign forces. The same was reported by The Island senior journalist Shamindra Ferdinando on Aug 20, 2020, and questioned the propriety of using foreign funds to train parliamentary correspondents. I also like to bring to your notice that one of the staff members of Parliament staring at the same workshop that a single meal meant for an NP costs more than Rs 3,000 too would attract public displeasure. I ask the Speaker whether he was aware of the fact that parliament has obtained gifts from an international institution which worked against this country. Have those institutions obtained the permission of the Speaker for that purpose. At the same time, I would like to know whether the Speaker would take actions to remedy the situations that are antithetical to national interests caused by his predecessor.”
Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said that he would not let any force undermine the independence of Parliament or its members.
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
