News
Prez draws fire over Archaeology Chief’s shock resignation
President’s Office denies accusations
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Dissident SLPP MP Gevindu Cumaratunga yesterday (13) said President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Wickeremesinhe-Rajapaksa government owed an explanation regarding the resignation of Director General of the Department of Archeology Prof. Anura Manatunga under controversial circumstances.
The SLPP National List MP and leader of the Yuthukama civil society organisation insisted that the government had pressured Prof. Manatunga to quit as his stand on matters pertaining to archaeology quite clearly clashed with that of President Wickremesinghe.
The rebel SLPP MP said so when The Island sought his response to the sudden resignation of Prof. Manatunga who received the appointment as DG, Archeology, on 01 January, 2021, following the retirement of Dr. Senarath Dissanayake.
The Island raised the abrupt resignation with the Presidential Media Division (PMD) in the wake of MP Cumaratunga, and Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader and Attorney-at-Law Udaya Gammanpila, pointing the finger at President Wickremesinghe. A senior spokesperson for PMD emphasized that the President’s Office didn’t demand Prof.
Manatunga’s resignation. “There is absolutely no basis for such accusations,” the official said.
Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Vidura Wickramanayake Monday (12) night said Prof. Manatunga tendered his letter of resignation to the Ministry last Friday, 09 June.
Cumaratunga said that a letter written by Saman Ekanayake, Secretary to the President to Prof. Manatunga, in January this year, is in the public domain. That letter revealed how President Wickremesinghe interfered in the Archeology Department, MP Cumaratunga said, while comparing the government’s response to the exposure of gold smuggling MP Ali Sabri Raheem and DG, Archaeology taking a stand in spite of heavy political pressure. “Why should DG, Archeology, consult the Cabinet of Ministers in performing his legitimate responsibilities,” MP Cumaratunga asked.
The MP found fault with President Wickremesinghe for giving into demands of Tamil members of Parliament representing the Northern and Eastern Provinces. Responding to another query, the MP said that the government obviously felt uncomfortable with Prof. Manatunga adhering to Archaeology acts and Ordinances in dealing with developments.
The nationalist MP said that MPs representing one community shouldn’t have been called for a meeting to discuss land-related issues and DG, Archeology, had been placed in a difficult situation. The President in his capacity as the leader of the UNP could consult TNA or any other political party but a national issue couldn’t be discussed with a select group of MPs, he said.
Cumaratunga said that the TNA wields immense power regardless of sharp drop in its parliamentary representation and splits within the grouping.
President Wickremesinghe could be in a mood to be generous to the TNA in view of the presidential election next year, MP Cumaratunga said, urging political party leaders not to seek electoral advantages at the expense of genuine post-war national reconciliation.
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
