News
Prez may change law to advance presidential election: Mano
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) leader Mano Ganesan says President Ranil Wickremesinghe is likely to propose a constitutional amendment to pave the way for an early presidential election.The Colombo District MP said that President Wickremesinghe had indicated to him the possibility of bringing an amendment to the Constitution. The Democratic People’s Front (DPF) disclosed that President Wickremesinghe had said he would contest the next presidential election.
Ganeshan said so when The Island asked him whether the TPA believed the country was heading for an early presidential election.The last presidential election was conducted on 16 Nov. 2019. In terms of the Constitution, the President is elected for a period of five years.
MP Ganesan said that President Wickremesinghe, who is also the leader of the UNP, would definitely receive the backing of a section of the ruling SLPP. The TPA consists of Democratic People’s Front (DPF), National Union of Workers (NUF) and Upcountry People’s Front (UCPF). The TPA contested the last general election on the SJB ticket.
MP Ganesan said that the SLPP would field a candidate of its own to protect its vote base.Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera several weeks ago declared that the majority of the government parliamentary group backed UNP leader Wickremesinghe’s candidature at the next presidential poll.
Responding to another query, MP Ganesan asserted that the SLPP backed Wickremesinghe and SJB leader Sajith Premadasa would be the main contenders with JVP-led JJB fielding Anura Kumara Dissanayake joining the fray. “The SLPP will come fourth,” the ex-minister said, adding that President Wickremesinghe seemed to be going ahead with his plans.
Asked whether recent moves to replace Governors in four provinces had been influenced by President Wickremesinghe’s desire to further consolidate his position ahead of presidential election, MP Ganesan said that the electorate couldn’t be significantly manipulated by appointing new Governors. “What really matters is the public acceptance of the presidential candidates. The President cannot expect major benefits by replacing Governors,” the MP said.
It would be pertinent to mention that active politicians and functioning members of political parties couldn’t be appointed as Governors, and such appointments would be unethical and unacceptable, MP Ganesan said.
The TPA, established in 2015 is active in Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa and Western Provinces. Over the years, it has emerged as a key political force representing the minority community. At the last general election in August 2020, the TPA won six seats though one (Badulla District MP A. Aravind Kumar) switched its allegiance to the SLPP in Oct 2020 when he voted for the 20th Amendment to the Constitution. The remaining TPA group consists of leader Mano Ganesan, deputy leader Palani Thigambaram (Nuwara Eliya), deputy leader V. Radha Krishna (Nuwara Eliya), Velu Kumar (Kandy) and M. Udaya Kumar (Nuwara Eliya).
The Island also sought an update on the TPA’s efforts to form a parliamentary Tamil caucus from its leader. MP Ganesan said that TNA’s constituent Illankai Thamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) was yet to respond to their proposal though TELO and PLOTE now calling themselves the Democratic TNA declared their support for the proposal. The TPA leader said that the TNA seemed to be in a dilemma against the backdrop of its partners agreeing to his proposal.
TMK led by CV. Wigneshwaran responded positively and they, too, were prepared to join hands, the MP said. Proposed formation of Tamil parliamentary caucus was pending, MP Ganesan said, while asserting in case TELO and PLOTE became part of the parliamentary grouping it would further divide the TNA.The TNA emerged the fourth largest grouping in parliament at the last general election. It won 10 seats.
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
