News
Petitioner tells court: AG’s should protect public not corrupt politicians
Gas explosion case before CA:
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Petitioner Attorney-at-Law Nagananda Kodituwakku yesterday (10) told the Court of Appeal that the duty and responsibility of the Attorney General was to defend the people.
Referring to recent Supreme Court stricture of the Attorney General in the ruling in respect of fundamental rights application filed as regards ‘Taking a policy decision in respect of tamed elephants where judicial proceedings and investigations are being conducted and transferring the ownership’, Kodituwakku said that the Attorney General shouldn’t lie.
The Attorney General’s duty was not to protect corrupt politicians, the petitioner said.
The petitioner lawyer said so when the Attorney General told the Court of Appeal that the Department wasn’t aware of the petition filed by him in his capacity as the General Secretary of the Vinivida Foundation seeking a series of immediate measures against those responsible for accidental blasts of domestic LPG gas cylinders.
In addition to issuance of notice to ten respondents, namely Chairman Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) retired Major General Shantha Dissanayake (1 respondent) , Director General, Sri Lanka Standards Dr. Siddika Senarathna (2), former CAA Executive Director Thushan Gunawardena (3), Laughfs Holdings (4), Litro Gas (5), Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena (6), Consumer Protection State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna (7), Government Chief Valuer P.P.D.S. Muthkumarana (8), IGP C.D. Wickremaratne (9), and the Attorney General (10), the petitioner sought immediate halt to distribution of gas cylinders pending a thorough investigation, formulate health and safety standards for LP gas cylinders, compensation to those affected by blasts and directive to the Attorney General to institute legal proceedings against Litro and Laughfs in terms of Section 13 of the Consumer Affairs Act No 09 of 2003 and also under Section 45 of the Sri Lanka Standards Institution Act No 6 of 1984 and Section 298 of the Penal Code or under any other provision of law for the commission of a serious criminal offence that warrants imprisonment and payment of compensation to all victims who had suffered loss of life and property damage.
Lawyer Kodituwakku asked in the open court yesterday how the Attorney General denied knowledge of the case filed by him when the Department was represented in the Court of Appeal on the first day, Wednesday, Dec 08 of the proceedings. Court of Appeal judge Sobitha Rajakaruna recused himself from the case on that day. On the following day, Court of Appeal judges Priyantha Fernando and Sampath Abeykoon, too, excused themselves from the case paving the way for Dr. Ruman Fernando and Sampath Wijerathna to hear the case yesterday.
Following deliberations, the judges declared that the case would be called next Tuesday (14) at 10 am. Attorney-at-law Kodituwakku was directed to deliver the required documents to all the relevant parties as regards the case filed in terms of Article 140 of the Constitution.
The civil society activist told the court that this shouldn’t be delayed as explosions of domestic gas cylinders took place every day and the lives of people were at serious risk. Kodituwakku also denied accusations by the Attorney General that he brought the media to court. Kodituwakku emphasized that he had nothing to do with the presence of the media.
The petitioner prayed that the Court of Appeal exercised its inherent jurisdiction afforded by Article 140 of the Constitution to arrest the serious life and property risk and immeasurable hardship faced by the consumers due to blatant negligence on the part of the 1st, 2nd 6th 7th and 9th Respondents who shall be held accountable for gross failure on their part to enforce the rule of law concerning the health and safety risks faced by millions of consumers.
The Petitioner stated that failure on the part of the 1st, 2nd 6th 7th and 9th respondents amounted to violation of the confidence placed in the office the said respondents hold in trust. The gross negligence on the part of the above mentioned respondents violated the fundamental expectations of the citizens whose executive power is being abused by them.
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
