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Patali: Ample space for genuine political movement to represent ‘silent majority’
…rules out partnership with those responsible for country’s bankruptcy
by Shamindra Ferdinando
Leader of Eksath Janaraja Peramuna (EJP) Patali Champika Ranawaka has warned that the fate of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa would befall on the next President if he failed to ensure what he called the economic independence of the people.
Referring to the public protest campaign that forced Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign in May and July 2022, respectively, lawmaker Ranawaka said that those incapable of successfully addressing the economic woes should be prepared to face the consequences.
The former Minister said so in his keynote address at the first convention of the EJP at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium on Saturday (1).
Colombo District MP Ranawaka declared EJP’s readiness to discuss a workable plan with any party. However, the EJP leader ruled out the possibility of his party accommodating those responsible for the current crisis or accused of corruption.
In an obvious reference to the proposed debate between SJB leader Sajith Premadasa and JVP/JJB leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, MP Ranawaka emphasized the importance of a feasible action plan. The lawmaker played down the importance of such debates.
Among special invitees at the EJP convention were former Presidents, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Maithripala Sirisena.
Declaring that recent surveys that had been conducted on the forthcoming presidential poll expected to be held in Sept/Oct this year were seriously flawed and lacked scientific basis, MP Ranawaka said that the EJP was ready to work with those keen to represent the interests of the silent majority. MP Ranawaka said that on the basis of the EJP’s agenda they were ready to reach a consensus on a new President, new Parliament and new Republic.
MP Ranawaka emphasised that there was ample space for a political movement that represented the interests of the silent majority. The EJP leader paid a glowing tribute to those who attended the convention without expecting any personal benefits. Having contested the last general election on the SJB ticket, MP Ranawaka formed the EJP.
Ranawaka alleged that those who sought to capture power offered simple answers to complex issues on the basis of how other bankrupt countries faced crises. Declaring that the country was in such a precarious situation it couldn’t experiment with a new system–an obvious reference to JVP/JJB, MP Ranawaka emphasized the pivotal importance of a permanent political decision to create economic independence.
Sri Lanka officially declared bankruptcy status in April 2022 during Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s presidency.
“Regardless of who becomes the next President or who controls Parliament, the country needs a viable plan to settle debt,” MP Ranawaka said.
Acknowledging that President Ranil Wickremesinghe had been able to stabilize the situation temporarily, MP Ranawaka found fault with the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government for burdening the public, the vast majority of whom were unable to make ends meet. However, those responsible for the economic crisis hadn’t been punished, MP Ranawaka said, alleging that the government failed at least to collect taxes from those who owed the Treasury massive amounts of money.
MP Ranawaka explained how the growing political underworld threatened the country at every level.
General Secretary of EJP Bandula Chandrasekera said that they had been able to lay the foundation for the creation of a political movement that could really change the country.
Chandrasekera explained how they could proceed on the basis of their agenda that had been presented to the Maha Sangha, political parties and other interested groups in a bid to encourage consensus on a feasible action plan.
Declaring that the EJP had been recognized by the Election Commission, Chandrasekera said that they had carried out political work in 20 administrative districts, conducted nearly 75 meetings, in addition to 14 district conventions.
A section of the gathering at the first convention of the EJP held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium (pictures courtesy the EJP)
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
